Engineering:Molten salt oxidation
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2026) |
Molten salt oxidation (MSO) is a high-temperature, flameless thermodynamic process used for the destruction of hazardous materials. Waste materials are introduced into a bath of molten salt, where organic components are oxidized to simple gases such as carbon dioxide and water. A key operational limitation is the gradual accumulation of inorganic contaminants in the molten salt, which necessitates periodic regeneration or replacement of the melt.[1]
The molten salt of choice has been sodium carbonate (m.p 851°C), but other salts can be used. Sulfur, halogens, phosphorus and similar volatile pollutants are oxidized and retained in the melt. Most organic carbon content leaves as relatively pure CO/CO
2/H2/H2O gas (depending on the feed conditions, whether steam or air is used), and the effluent only requires a cold trap and a mild aqueous wash (except mercury-containing wastes). It has been used for safe biological and chemical weapons destruction, and processing waste such as scrap tires where direct incineration/effluent treatment is difficult.
See also
- Recovery boiler – a technology with similar issues used in Kraft process chemical pulping of paper, though temperatures <500°C
References
- ↑ Lin, Chengqian; Chi, Yong; Jin, Yuqi; Jiang, Xuguang; Buekens, Alfons; Zhang, Qi; Chen, Jian (2018). "Molten salt oxidation of organic hazardous waste with high salt content". Waste Management & Research (SAGE Publications) 36 (2): 140–148. doi:10.1177/0734242X17748364.
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