Total oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons by copper and chlorine based catalysts

Abstract

A new class of combustion catalyst containing copper and chlorine is described which has high activity for the total oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as CH₂Cl₂, CH₂ClCH₂Cl, CCl₄ and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (1% of gas stream) into carbon oxides, HCl and Cl₂, in the presence of excess air at 300–500 °C; no catalyst deactivation or loss of copper or chlorine is observed.