Abstract
There is a need to destroy both military and civilian hazardous waste and an urgency, mandated by public concern over traditional waste handling methodologies, to identify safe and efficient alternative technologies. One very effective process for the destruction of such waste is supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). By capitalizing on the properties of water above its critical point, (374°C and 221 atm for pure water), this technology provides rapid and complete oxidation with high destruction efficiencies at typical operating temperatures. Nevertheless, corrosion of the materials of fabrication is a serious concern and the practicality of SCWO may be limited by the ability to control corrosion. This paper reviews the literature on the degradation characteristics of a number of candidate materials of fabrication, including iron, nickel, and titanium-base alloys, ceramics, and noble metals. In addition, a number of potential methodologies for reducing corrosion damage in SCWO systems have been reviewed.
