Oxidation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in sub- and supercritical water: reaction kinetics, pathways, and water-density effects. 1. Experimental results

Abstract

Water under supercritical conditions (T>374 o C, P>221 bar) is an attractive medium for the efficient oxidation of wastes. Oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in supercritical water was studied at 550-570 o C and 118-263 bar in an isothermal, isobaric, tubular flow reactor. Carbon monoxide oxidation experiments at 246 bar and 550 and 560 o C confirmed an oxygen dependence seen earlier and revealed an induction time of approximately 2 s in the oxidation reaction