Hydrolysis and Oxidation in Subcritical and Supercritical Water: Connecting Process Engineering Science to Molecular Interactions

Key engineering issues influencing the development of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) for waste treatment were reviewed. Major chemical pathways and kinetics for hydrolysis and oxidation reactions of model organic wastes were discussed. In selective examples, results from extensive laboratory-scale measurements were compared with molecular simulations of solvation and reaction effects in supercritical water. Connections between reaction chemistry and observed corrosion in SCWO processing equipment were discussed to underscore the importance of understanding electrochemical phenomena over a wide range of temperature and density conditions. Research needs for improved understanding of physical and chemical effects in supercritical fluids were identified.