Catalytic hydrodechlorination of industrial wastewater containing chlorinated hydrocarbons in a trickle bed reactor

Abstract

Extensive use of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCS) in various industries has resulted in enormous chlorinated waste accumulation everywhere from groundwater reservoirs to stratosphere, contributing to a wide range of health and environmental problems. This study targets on a new remediation technology for chlorinated industrial wastewater or contaminated groundwater. In this study, catalytic hydrodechlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane in water, generating chlorine free hydrocarbon and hydrogen chloride, has been demonstrated as a viable wastewater remediation technique with a half-inch co-current down flow trickle bed reactor. Hydrodechlorination reactions were conducted over a 1% and a 2% palladium on carbon catalyst at a fixed system pressure but different temperatures, and space times. A few reaction mechanisms were proposed to study the reaction kinetics for hydrodechlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane. Kinetic parameters such as rate constant, Arrhenius constant and activation energy for the reaction were determined from the experimental data.