• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.311-317
• /
• 2006

Feasibility of destroying synthetic and actual leachate containing humic acids and ammonia compounds by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) was evaluated. In this study, destruction efficiencies of humic acids and ammonia respectively were investigated at various reaction temperatures and residence times under pressure a supercritical pressure (280 atm). To lower reaction temperature, chemical oxidants were used. The experiment was carried out in a cylindrical batch reactor made of Hastelloy C-276 that can withstand high temperature and pressure. Concentrations of humic acids and ammonia were measured using a $COD_{Cr}$ method and an ammonia selective electrode, respectively. The optimal destructive condition of humic acids in the presence of stoichiometric oxygen(air) was 3 min at $380^{\circ}C$, but the temperature could be lowered to subcritical region ($360^{\circ}C$) along with $H_2O_2$ as an oxidant. For ammonia, the optimal destructive condition with air was 5 min at $660^{\circ}C$, but it was possible to operate the process for 3 minutes at $550^{\circ}C$ or 2 min at $600^{\circ}C$ along with $H_2O_2$ as an oxidant. At 2 min and $550^{\circ}C$ along with $H_2O_2$ as an oxidant, humic and ammonia compounds in the actual leachate were easily destructed and the effluent quality met the Korea Standard Leachate Quality.