Low-temperature catalytic destruction of CCl4, CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 over basic oxides

The catalytic destruction of CCl4, CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 in the presence of steam has been compared over a series of unsupported and alumina-supported lanthanide and alkaline earth oxides. It was found that (1) the destruction rate over basic oxides decreases with decreasing chlorine content of the CHC compound (CCl4>CHCl3>CH2Cl2); (2) the catalyst activity is always higher for lanthanide oxides than for alkaline earth oxides; (3) supported basic oxides are more active than their unsupported counterparts and (4) a stable destruction activity of more than 10 days can be maintained as long as an excess of steam is present in the gas stream. The reaction products are also dependent on the type of chlorinated hydrocarbon. CO2 and HCl are the products for the destruction of CCl4 and both compounds are formed from the reaction intermediate Cl2CO. In the case of CHCl3 a mixture of CO and HCl is produced, partially formed via the hydrolysis of the reaction intermediate HClCO. Finally, the reaction products for the destruction of CH2Cl2 are HCl, CO and H-2; the latter two are formed from H2CO decomposition. In the case of supported basic oxides significant amounts of CH3Cl are produced in the catalytic destruction of CH2Cl2, which is catalyzed by the partially uncovered Al2O3 support phase. In situ Raman and infrared spectroscopy were used to monitor the physicochemical changes taking place in the catalytic solid as well in the gas phase above the catalyst material. Based on these findings a plausible reaction mechanism is proposed. Lanthanide oxides and lanthanide oxide chlorides are both active phases in this catalytic process.