| abstract |
Currents for producing metal chloride or metalloid in the gaseous state (1) are subjected to the application of thermal energy in the presence of hydrogen or of a surfactant material (6) for a period and a temperatures sufficient to reduce organohalogen compounds without harming chloride. Suitable surfactant materials include coke, activated carbon and alumina. The metal or metalloid can be, for example, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, beryllium, boron, zirconium, hafnium, niobium or silicon. Titanium and magnesium, and especially aluminum, are preferred. |