Supercritical water oxidation: an engineering update

• Published in: PROCEEDINGS OF THE GULF COAST HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESEARCH CENTER 1993 SYMPOSIUM ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: METALS, OXIDATION, AND SEPARATION Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. 379 - 394
• Main Authors: Gloyna, Earnest F., Li, Lixiong
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 1993
• Subjects: 320305 - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management; 540220 - Environment, Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-); 540320 - Environment, Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-); Additives; Catalysis; CLEANING; Control systems; Corrosion products; DECONTAMINATION; Economics; ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; Engineering research; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Heat exchange; Heat recovery; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; LIQUID WASTES; MANAGEMENT; Materials handling; New technology; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; Oxidation; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PROCESSING; Reaction kinetics; Safety; Separation; Solubility; TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT; Transformations (materials); WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTE PROCESSING; WASTE WATER; WASTES; Wastewater treatment; WATER
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/0956-053X(93)90071-4

This paper reviews the need for innovative treatment technologies and describes a wastewater treatment system capable of completely destroying toxic organic substances and biological sludges. The basic concept of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), associated engineering research, and technology development are examined. During the last few years a growing body of SCWO knowledge has been assembled. A number of universities, federal agencies, and private companies have participated in both engineering research and technology development. In general, engineering research has focused upon reaction kinetics and mechanisms, salt formation and solubility, mass and heat transfer, transformation product identification, catalysis, corrosion, and additive impacts. As research progressed, technology development has directed its attention to materials of construction, reactor design, heat exchange and recuperative heat recovery, solid-liquid separation, gas-liquid separation, control systems, emuent handling, ash disposal, safety requirements, and process integration. SCWO technology relies on the unique properties of supercritical water to create an excellent reaction medium. The system is capable of operating as a totally enclosed facility, providing complete destruction, and meeting all regulatory emuent requirements. As such, this new technology is an environmentally attractive option. Because of favorable treatability, safety, and economic considerations a growing number private and governmental entities are currently involved in the development of more effective SCWO facilities.