THERMAL-OXIDATION KINETICS OF SELECTED ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS

A thermal oxidizer destroys organic pollutants by oxidation to CO2 and water. Time, temperature, and turbulence, govern the performance of a thermal oxidizer just as they do all other combustion devices. To achieve a desired degree of destruction, a higher temperature allows the use of a shorter residence time and vice versa. For most organics, a thermal oxidizer designed at 1400°-1500°F with 0.1 to 0.3 seconds residence time is normally enough to obtain nearly complete destruction.1 However, some chemicals require more extreme conditions. These time-temperature requirements can be determined from kinetic rate studies. © 1979 Air & Waste Management Association.