Abstract
Thermal decomposition of 10 ppm of phosgene in air was studied under simulated environmental conditions. It was shown that temperature and time of contact with hot surfaces affect the amount and rate of decomposition. A clean iron surface enhances decomposition and combines with the decomposition products at relatively low temperatures. “Corroded” iron surfaces enhance decomposition, and chloride is “liberated” from those surfaces on contact with phosgene at relatively low temperatures. Humidity causes only slight increase in decomposition. The amount of phosgene decomposition depends on the temperature of the open flame; phosgene was essentially completely decomposed on contact with a carbon monoxide flame. The presence of carbon tetrachloride and/or its decomposition products markedly decreases decomposition of phosgene. Phosgene is decomposed to chloride which is subsequently converted to chlorine by further heating.