Role of Water in the Catalytic Decomposition of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons over Chromium-Containing Catalysts

Abstract

spinel-type catalyst of Cr and Co (CoCr2O4) has been prepared and tested in the oxidative decomposition of trichloroethylene (TCE). The CoCr2O4 catalyst shows a higher conversion and CO2 selectivity than the alumina-supported chromia. A rapid increase in activity of CoCr2O4 is observed with the addition of water vapor to the feed stream in contrast to the results of CrOx/gamma -Al2O3 which shows a significant drop in activity when water was introduced. Water addition is also effective for the enhancement of CO2 selectivity as well in the case of CoCr2O4. The presence of water effectively suppresses the formation or tetrachloroethylene (PCE) byproduct.