Physiochemical technologies for HCB remediation and disposal: A review

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 229-230; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Tong, Man, Yuan, Songhu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 30.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Chlorine - chemistry; Contamination; dechlorination; desorption; Disposal; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Hexachlorobenzene; Hexachlorobenzene - chemistry; hydrophobicity; oxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; persistent organic pollutants; Physiochemical technologies; Pollution; Reactors; Remediation; researchers; Soil Pollutants - chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; thermal degradation; toxicity; washing; Waste Management - methods; Physiochemical technologies; Remediation; Disposal; Hexachlorobenzene; Contamination; State of the art; Dehalogenation; Electrokinetics; Washing; Electroremediation; Soil pollution; Persistent organic pollutant; Chemical reduction; Dechlorination; Decontamination; Chlorine Organic compounds; Oxidation; Organic compounds; Catalytic reaction; Electrochemical treatment; Pollutant behavior; Thermal decomposition; Hydrophobic compound; Desorption; Solid particle; Persistence; Adsorption
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.05.092

► HCB contamination is still a serious environmental problem. ► Physiochemical technologies for HCB remediation and disposal are reviewed. ► Perspectives for most remediation technologies are proposed. ► Pilot and large scale remediation and disposal are presented. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is one of the 12 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed in “Stockholm Convention”. It is hydrophobic, toxic and persistent in the environment. Due to extensive use in the past, HCB contamination is still a serious environmental problem. Strong adsorption on solid particles makes the remediation difficult. This paper presents an overview of the physiochemical technologies for HCB remediation and disposal. The adsorption/desorption behavior of HCB is firstly described because it comprises the fundamental for most remediation technologies. Physiochemical technologies concerned mostly for HCB remediation and disposal, i.e., chemical enhanced washing, electrokinetic remediation, reductive dechlorination and thermal decomposition, are reviewed in terms of fundamentals, state of the art and perspectives. The other physiochemical technologies including chemical oxidation, radiation induced catalytic dechlorination, ultrasonic assisted treatment and mechanochemical dechlorination are also reviewed. The pilot and large scale tests on HCB remediation or disposal are summarized in the end. This review aims to provide useful information to researchers and practitioners regarding HCB remediation and disposal.