Mechanochemical degradation has shown an excellent performance with CaO. After 6 h milling of t-HCH, up to 99,7% was degraded. Degradation process produces low molecular weight degradation products through dechlorination steps.Mechanochemical degradation is a potential alternative treatment method for the disposal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). To illustrate this concept, degradation of technical hexachlorocyclohexane (t-HCH) by planetary ball mill with calcium oxide (CaO) was studied. The content of residual t-HCH amount at the end of the process was measured by Gas chromatography coupled electron capture detector (GC-μECD) and the dagradation efficiency was found %99.7 after 6 h milling. The intermediate products, such as pentachlorocyclohexene, tetrachlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and monochlorobenzene were detected by Headspace Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and the main degradation pathway was proposed. The results showed that the final products were amorphous carbon and waste soluble chlorine.
CaO CaO
T-HCHFigure A. Scheme of mechanochemical degradation processpolicyPurpose: The purpose of the study is to point out an effective mechanochemical degradation of t-HCH with CaO.
Theory and Methods:The degradation studies were performed using an all-dimensional planetary ball mill (Pulverisette 6 premium line, Fritsch), equipped with two zirconium oxide jars of 150 ml. Parameters such as mass ratios, running time and rotational speed were determined by literature data. For organic fraction, samples were analyzed according to ISO 10382:2002 (GC-ECD, 6890N, Agilent Technologies, California, USA) and EPA 8270D (GC-MS, 6890N GC, 7697A MSD, Agilent Technologies, California, USA). And anions were analysed via suppressed ion chromatography following the standard methods 4110 B and 4530 using Ion Chromatograph (ICS-1000, Dionex, California, USA).
Results:In the study, mechanochemical degradation results showed that t-HCH was degraded 99,7% after 6 h with the use of CaO as inexpensive reagent. The reason for this is thought to be Ca elements capture halogens released from the organic molecules which can react with organic compounds via several pathways to form inorganic materials.
Conclusion:At the end of the study it has been shown that t-HCH is degraded by mechanochemical dechlorination using CaO without the need for additional heating. Therefore, mechanochemical degradation is potential process that can be used as an economical disposal method for t-HCH.