Pilot-Plant Study of the PCB Degradation at Ambient Temperature and Pressure

A continuous pilot plant for the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by the palladium on carbon (Pd/C)-catalyzed hydrogenation in the presence of triethylamine was designed and constructed. Both undiluted PCBs obtained from a capacitor and diluted PCBs with desulfurized trans oil were smoothly decomposed at ambient temperature and pressure. Desulfurization of the trans oil was found to be essential for the efficient degradation due to the possible deactivation of the Pd/C by catalysis poisoning due to the sulfur-containing materials in the oil. The combined use of the present degradation method and the catalytic desulfurization technology for the purification of gasoline and kerosene could be used in practical applications.