Accession Number:

ADA151516

Title:

Catalytic Degradation of Trihalomethanes

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. 1981-1982

Corporate Author:

ARMY MEDICAL BIOENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LAB FORT DETRICK MD

Personal Author(s):

• Hoke, Steven H.
• Baxter, Louanna J.
• Burns, Michael

Report Date:

1984-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

19.0

Abstract:

The chlorination of waters containing humic and other organic substances leads to the formation of trihalomethanes THMS. These compounds are suspected carcinogens and pose a health hazard. Their formation and removal after chlorination is of interest to the Army because of the exclusive use of hypochlorite for disinfection. This paper describes studies on the removal of trihalomethanes from water using catalytic degradation. Of the several metals and metal oxides studied, Zn was found to be a superior catalyst. In the presence of Zn powder and .00075M H2 gas, four THMs CHC13, CHC12Br, CHC1Br2, and CHBr3 all appear to dehalogenate in a relatively short period of time. The formation and degradation of reaction intermediates are discussed. Author keywords include Catalytic degradation Dehalogenation Drinking water Gas chromatography Humic substances Priority pollutants Toxic substances Trihalomethane Water analysis Water purification.

Descriptors:

• *DRINKING WATER
• *WATER TREATMENT
• *CATALYSIS
• *METHANE
• *CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS
• TOXIC AGENTS
• ZINC
• CATALYSTS
• POLLUTANTS
• CARCINOGENS
• CHLORINATION
• GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
• HYPOCHLORITES
• DISINFECTION
• WATER ANALYSIS

Subject Categories:

• Water Pollution and Control

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE