Inventors:
Jack D. Zeff - Marina Del Rey CA
Eriks Leitis - Los Angeles CA
Assignee:
Ultrox International - Santa Ana CA
International Classification:
B01J 1908
Abstract:
The invention is a method and apparatus for rate enhanced decomposition of volatile organic halogenated compounds. In the invention a stream of gas carrying these volatile organic halogenated compounds is passed through a porous bed of silica gel, preferably, or alternatively through quartz chips, and the bed is thereafter irradiated with ultraviolet light. If, after prolonged use the rate of decomposition declines, the decomposing activity can be fully restored by heating and/or passing nitrogen gas through the bed of silica gel. It has further been discovered that elevating the temperature of a solution of organic halogenated compounds, organic acids, or aryl alcohols, increases the oxidation rate of these compounds wherein irradiation of solution with ultraviolet light and addition of ozone to solution perform the oxidation. It has also been discovered that elevating the temperature of a solution of short chain alcohols, aryl alcohols, organic acids or aldehydes in solution, wherein addition of H. sub. 2 O. sub. 2 to solution and irradiation of solution with ultraviolet light act as oxidizing agents, increases the oxidation rate of these compounds.