GLIDARC DISCHARGES

FOR CONVERSION OF HALOGENATED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

INTO HF AND/OR HCl

Decomposition of some model molecules (CHCl₃, CFCl₃, CF₂Cl₂, and C₂Cl₄) was tested in three bench-scale reactors built on a principle of the GlidArc-I electric discharge. The discharges are organized between six non-cooled electrodes and across the gas/vapor flow. An active electrical energy is directly and totally transferred to the processed fluid. Pure model compounds were mixed with Hydrogen gas or steam or steam/air mixture and introduced directly into the discharge under 1 to 2 atm at a total flow-rates up to 2 m³(n)/h. Besides the concentrated HF and/or HCl, the main products were CO, CO₂, H₂, and some light hydrocarbons. Up to 100% conversion of initial CFCs are obtained in the one-step reactor. The Specific Energy Requirement for the process ranged between 0.2 and 15 kWh per 1 kg of completely mineralized CFC. The GlidArc-II reactor as well as newly patented powering systems for multiple electrodes GlidArc devices would allow even more efficient processing of any recalcitrant CFC compounds so that a projection for greater power and flow is possible, up to an industrial level.

For more details see our Associates' pre-print. Some elements of this paper were presented (as oral) on "The First International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds", Monterey, CA, May 18-21, 1998.

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