Catalytic hydrodechlorination of trichloroethylene with 2-propanol over Pd/Al2O3

Catalytic HDC of trichloroethylene (TCE) over 1 wt.% Pd/Al2O3 was carried out using 2-propanol, as solvent and hydrogen donor, in the presence of NaOH. The contribution of the homogeneous HDC reaction was important at 75 °C while at 25 °C thermal effects were less significant. 2-propanol dehydrogenation was evaluated at several reaction conditions and temperatures. It was found that NaOH is necessary for 2-propanol dehydrogenation. TOF of 0.001 s−1 for the HDC of 0.011 M TCE after 1-h reaction at 25 °C was obtained. Used catalyst samples (without any pretreatment) exhibited slightly lower activities than fresh ones. Surface area and dispersion of used catalyst samples decreased because of carbonaceous residues deposition. Treated catalyst samples recovered their surface area and HDC activity of fresh ones.