Chemical waste treatment based on hydrogen energy (II): Aqueous methyl orange solution under the oxyhydrogen flame

Abstract

The oxyhydrogen flame (OHF) can generate temperatures as high as 2800 K and a jet flow of highly reactive free radicals including H, OH, HO2 and O. Therefore, it could serve as an effective means for treating various chemical wastes, particularly organic wastes. Building upon our previous research on metal chlorides, we present here a study on the degradation mechanism of aqueous methyl orange (MO) solution under OHF. Although the decolorization of MO solution is rapid, complete degradation is a slow and intricate process. Initially, MO solution undergoes decolorization by breaking the azo bond followed by oxidation processes that convert aminobenzene compounds to benzoquinone and break down the benzene ring until ultimately being fully converted into CO2 and H2O.