A Chemical Pathway to the Formation of Chlorinated Compounds During Combustion

Xiaodong Yang, Western Kentucky University

Abstract

Two reactions, the Deacon reaction and the chlorination of phenol, which are the postulated starting steps for the formation of chlorinated dioxins during the incineration of the refuse derived fuel, were investigated in this work. Reactions were conducted in a tube furnace, and the products were trapped and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. It was shown that the Deacon reaction was favored at higher temperatures. The chlorination of phenol in vapor phase was found to begin at temperatures as low as 250°C and to be favored at higher temperatures. The ortho and para positions in the phenol ring are the favored sites for chlorine substitution.