Oxidation of Hazardous Organics in a Two-Phase Fluorocarbon-Water System

Abstract

A two phase oxidation system was employed to degrade various organic compounds in water under pressure using an inert fluorocarbon solvent. Oxygen solubility in this type of solvent is 18 times higher than in water. Experiments (200°C-250°C) were performed with synthetic solutions of β-naphthol, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, β-naphthol was reduced from 250 mg/1 to less than 1 mg/1 in 30 min at 250°C. Selective oxidation of β-naphthol was successful from a mixture of β-naphthol and butyric acid. Calculated first order rate constants for β-naphthol show a 4.4 fold increase in oxidation rate for the two phase system over the one phase system. The effects of pH, temperature, and reaction time were examined. The reaction occurs in two steps: oxidation of parent compound followed by oxidation of intermediates to carbon dioxide. The two phase extraction/oxidation system shows promise as a viable alternative technology in waste water treatment and selective oxidation processes.