Microwave Catalytic Oxidation of Hydrocarbons In Aqueous Solutions

When a vehicle is contaminated with chemical agents, the vehicle must be thoroughly washed. Results obtained during Phase I work definitively show the technical feasibility of the microwave catalytic oxidation process for destruction of hydrocarbons andother chemical agents in water contaminated through front line washing of military vehicles. The Phase I experimentation shows that pollutants such as gasoline, diethyl sulfide (simulant of HD gas), detergent, and JP-8 fuel are easily destroyed using theCHA microwave process. Furthermore, the granulated activated carbon (GAC) used during the experimentation is easily regenerated, with the adsorption capacity returned to original levels. The significance of these results show that the CHA process cancompletely treat wastewater generated at the front lines.In Phase II, a prototype will be constructed and used for a field demonstration. The prototype will be tested at CHA Corporation's laboratory using a simulated wastewater stream and then transported to the selected Army base for field demonstration. Theeffectiveness of the CHA process in destroying contaminants in vehicle wash water will be verified during the field demonstration. Phase II work will result in a cost-effective, successful process that can be used to treat vehicle-washing wastewater.The primary benefit is a portable microwave system that is capable of treating wastewater produced from the washing of Army combat vehicles at front lines. The microwave recycle-washing process is also directly applicable to treat and recycle wastewaterproduced from vehicle-washing facilities at Army bases in the United States. A secondary benefit could be a portable microwave unit capable of providing safe drinking water for Army personnel in a combat zone at front lines. Due to environmentalregulations, applications may also be found in civilian businesses. Since microwave-GAC catalytic oxidation is very effective in destroying car-wash soap, the use of microwave vehicle-washing system would allow the commercial washing industries to use themore effective cleaning soaps with a simple recycling process.