Cleaner Chemical Processes

Abstract Principles and methods for the development of cleaner chemical processes are discussed. The major part of the paper is dedicated to the development of ecologically more compatible waste treatment/disposal processes. Supercritical fluids as reaction media and as separation solvents and the application of indirect electroredox processes have been selected for process development. The R&D activities described in the paper include the cleaning of contaminated aqueous effluents by supercritical oxidation and of liquid effluents and solids by supercritical extraction as well as the electrochemical destruction of organic pollutants.