Catalytic wet oxidation: process and catalyst development and the application perspective

Catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) is regarded as the second generation wastewater treatment technology and is specialized in the degradation or mineralization of the highly concentrated, toxic, refractory, and non-biodegradable industrial wastewater. Since the first industrial installation of CWO in the 1950s, many commercial CWO processes have been developed and applied for different wastewater sources and applications. This Chapter addresses the homogeneous CWO processes (Loprox, Ciba-Geigy, IT EnviroScience, ATHOS and ORCAN) and heterogeneous CWO processes (Osaka Gas, Nippon Shokubai, Kurita, CALIPHOX, DICP and Watercatox), and also the development on the homogeneous catalysts (cations and anions) and heterogeneous catalysts (supported noble metal catalysts and non-noble metal oxides). The application perspective of the CWO, such as for the treatment of the wastewater from the biomass pyrolysis for bio-based fuels and chemicals process, is also discussed.