Method for destroying organohalogen compounds

Abstract

A process is provided for the destruction of organohalogen compounds, such as methyl chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, etc., by mixing the organohalogen compounds with a heated carrier gas, such as nitrogen, argon or air, and either steam or water to form a mixture; supplying the mixture to a catalyst, such as titanium oxide/tungsten oxide, to decompose the organohalogen compounds into halogens and hydrogen halides, such as chlorine, hydrochloric acid, fluorine and hydrofluoric acid; conducting the halogen and hydrogen halide contaminated gas through a bent path, created by a baffle that prevents the entry of mist or droplets into the catalyst chamber, into a cooling section where the halogen and hydrogen halide contaminated gas is sprayed with water to cool the gas to a temperature low enough to prevent the formation of dioxines. An alkaline agent, such as sodium hydroxide, can be added to the cooling water to neutralize the halides and hydrogen halides.