Laboratory investigation of the thermal degradation of a mixture of hazardous organic compounds. 1.

In this report, the effect of oxygen concentration on the thermal stability of the components of a mixture of carbon tetrachloride, monochlorobenzene, 1,1,2-trichloro-,1,2,2-trifluoroethane (Freon 113 (Du Pont)), trichloroethylene, and toluene and the formation of thermal reaction products is examined. Thermal decomposition studies were conducted in atmospheres in which combustion oxygen was in excess, stoichiometric, and absent (pyrolysis). The components were also run individually in atmospheres with stoichiometric and excess oxygen. Results indicate that decreasing oxygen concentration increased the stability of the mixture components except Freon 113 and carbon tetrachloride. Furthermore, with the exception of Freon 113, each component was less stable in the mixture as compared to pure compound data. The stability of Freon 113 remained unchanged regardless of reaction atmosphere. It was found that the number and complexity of thermal reaction products increased with decreasing oxygen concentration. In all cases, products ranged from simple chlorinated aliphatics to complex polynuclear aromatics. 18 references, 7 figures, 2 tables.