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Abstract

Sonication is employed in the destruction of organic chemicals, using liquid carbon dioxide as the sonicating medium. The process of the invention for decomposing at least one chemical comprises: (a) providing a sonicating vessel equipped with an array of sonicators; (b) introducing the chemical to be decomposed into the sonicating vessel, together with liquid carbon dioxide; and (c) exposing the chemical in the sonicating vessel to sonication for a period of time sufficient to cause the chemical to decompose to form at least one decomposition product. The sonication process may additionally employ one or more of ultraviolet light, oxidizing modifiers such as water, sodium hypochlorite, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide, and reaction-quenching species such as hydrogen (H.sub.2). Depending on the nature of the decomposition product(s), disposal may range from simple concentration of the product and collection thereof (in the case of liquids or solids), to venting to the atmosphere (in the case of gaseous, inert products), to venting to the atmosphere through an appropriate gas-trap (in the case of gaseous product that are toxic, reactive, or considered to be environmentally-controlled substances).

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First Claim