Microwave-induced combustion of volatile organic compounds in an industrial flue gas over the magnetite fixed-bed.

A modified domestic microwave oven was applied to heat a magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) fixed-bed for continuous decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as acetone, n-hexane, and dichloromethane (DCM), in a simulated flue gas which contains VOCs equivalent to 2000 ppmv as DCM. Experimental results revealed that effect of the addition of water to the inlet stream on decomposition of DCM in the overall experiment was insignificant. Bulk temperature of the Fe(3)O(4) fixed-bed was also found to reach 600 degrees C from an initial room temperature by 6.