While experts across the country work to develop better detection technology, researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia are developing a process that can destroy chemical or biological toxins quickly, completely and safely.

According to Sunggyu "KB" Lee, professor and chair of chemical engineering at MU, his research group has implemented a technology that destroys 100 percent of toxins in a contaminated area.

This process is called supercritical water oxidation, or SCWO, and Lee believes it has the potential to treat a variety of toxins whether they are chemical agents or a biological agent such as anthrax.

"The SCWO process uses supercritical water, which is water at high temperature, greater than 705.2 degrees Fahrenheit, and a pressure greater than 3,200 psi," he said. "Under this high temperature and pressure, water has a liquid-like density while its viscosity is gas-like. Organic materials and gases become highly soluble in this water. When oxygen is added, it dissolves in the supercritical water medium, and the materials are oxidized and almost instantly destroyed, leaving only nontoxic materials such as water, carbon dioxide, chloride and phosphate."

Lee said the SCWO process is advantageous for the following reasons:

* It decisively works for all chemical and biological materials, even in mixed forms, which eliminates the need for presorting contaminated materials.

* Because the process equipment is relatively small and there is no need to treat nontoxic discharge materials, a SCWO unit can be efficiently installed in a self-contained mobile trailer that can be moved quickly and easily to wherever it's needed.

* The process works for both toxins and contaminated articles, which means it can be used to decontaminate soil, clothes or other materials.

* The reaction taking place in SCWO is self-sustaining and energy efficient, as the heat generated by the reaction provides some of the energy required to maintain it.

Lee and his research team have pioneered supercritical fluid technology since the Cold War era and have received a number of U.S. patents in the area. SCWO technology stems from his team's experience in effectively treating chemical contaminants and toxins, concentrated municipal sludge, contaminated soils, and other materials. Currently, six supercritical mini-pilot and pilot systems are in operation in Lee's lab.

"Once a prototype is designed, I believe mobile units could be produced for about $500,000 each," he said. - By Jason L. Jenkins


[Contact: Jason L. Jenkins ]

22-Oct-2001