KINETICS OF THE OXIDATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE IN AIR VIA HETEROGENEOUS PHOTOCATALYSIS

Trichloroethylene in solution with air is oxidized rapidly in the presence of irradiated titanium dioxide. Dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC), which is formed as an intermediate during the trichloroethylene reaction, also undergoes photocatalytic oxidation. This paper describes the kinetics of these reactions and how operating conditions influence the observed reaction rates. Annular photocatalytic reactors with thin films of titanium dioxide catalyst were used to make kinetic measurements. Observations of the reaction rate of trichloroethylene were made while varying parameters such as catalyst loading, feed flow rate, feed composition, and ultraviolet light energy. The observed reaction rates are higher by several orders of magnitude than those previously reported in the literature, and an expression for the prediction of rate as a function of reactant partial pressure is provided. The rate of reaction of the DCAC intermediate is also discussed. Air is shown to be an optimum oxidant, and an optimum humidity is established. The reaction is shown to proceed indefinitely under dry conditions, supporting the existence of a chlorine radical propagated surface reaction. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.