6533b823fe1ef96bd127f6a5

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The use of anthracene as a model compound in a comparative study of hydrous pyrolysis methods for industrial waste remediation

Alfred A. ChristyMarian Asantewah NkansahTanja Barth

subject

Environmental EngineeringEnvironmental remediationHealth Toxicology and MutagenesisIndustrial WasteIncinerationIndustrial waterWaste Disposal FluidIndustrial wastechemistry.chemical_compoundEnvironmental ChemistryOrganic chemistryHydrous pyrolysisAnthracenesAnthraceneWaste managementVDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400::Chemistry: 440Public Health Environmental and Occupational HealthOxidation reductionGeneral MedicineGeneral ChemistryHydrogen PeroxideSilicon DioxidePollutionFluorocarbon PolymerschemistryPyrolysisWater Pollutants Chemical

description

Author's version of an article published in Chemosphere, 84 (4), 403-408. Also available from the publisher: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.03.061 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are very stable compounds and tend to bioaccumulate in the environment due to their high degree of conjugation and aromaticity. Hydrous pyrolysis is explored as a technique for the treatment of industrial water containing PAH, using anthracene as a model compound. The reactivity of anthracene under a range of temperatures and durations are studied in this paper. Aliquots of 1.0-10.0mg of anthracene in a range of 1.0-5.0 mL of H(2)O are subjected to hydrous pyrolysis under varied conditions of temperature, reagents and duration. The conditions include oxidising systems comprising distilled water, hydrogen peroxide and Nafion-SiO(2) solid catalyst in water; and reducing systems of formic acid and formic acid/Nafion-SiO(2)/Pd-C catalysts to assess a range of redox reaction conditions. Oxygen in air played a role in some of the reaction conditions. Pyrolysed products were identified and quantified by the use of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The major products were anthrone, anthraquinone, xanthone from oxidation; and multiple hydro-anthracene derivatives from reductive hydogenation. The nature of reaction conditions influenced the extent of anthracene degradation. The products formed are more reactive (less stable) as compared to anthracene the starting material and will therefore be less persistent in the environment.

http://hdl.handle.net/11250/138254