MOLTEN SALT OXIDATION OF CHLOROBENZENE

Abstract

This investigation focuses on the oxidation of chlorobenzene izn a laboratory-scale molten salt reactor. A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer with a long-path cell is used to monitor the organic waste oxidation process, including the formation of by-products as a function of temperature. The measured oxidation by-products are compared with results reported in the literature and are obtained in a combustion-driven flow reactor at similar oxidation temperatures; the results are modeled using detailed chemical kinetics. The results outlined in this work provide a direct comparison of the effectiveness of molten salt oxidation compared with conventional combustion oxidation and highlight the advantages and disadvantages associated with the molten salt oxidation process.

Keywords:

• molten salt oxidation
• chlorobenzene

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Brian Higgins (California Polytechnic State University) for significant assistance in the design and construction of the reactor, Murray Thomson (University of Toronto) for supplying the chlorobenzene mechanism, and Jerry Salan (Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center) for helpful discussion of MSO processing of energetic materials. Jayakumar Patil helped with the experimental design and setup. This work was funded by NSWC Indian Head Division, through the Center for Energetic Concepts Development MOU with the University of Maryland, Department of Mechanical Engineering.