The use of carbon fiber composites as substrate for a zero valent metal dechlorination system

The use of zero valent metals is known to successfully degrade chlorinated hydrocarbons. The use of zinc metal to decholorinate trichloroethene (TCE) in contaminated groundwater sources has been limited by metal surface area for reaction. A highly porous carbon fiber composite substrate for the zinc metal provides a much higher surface area for reaction in a decholorination system. The zinc coating applied to the carbonaceous fibers provides higher reaction rates than traditional powdered metal systems. Added advantages of using the zinc coated carbon substrate for ground water clean up are low pressure drop, easy removal and emplacement of composites, and the ability to recharge the zinc coating in situ. The novel zinc impregnation method results in a uniform coating of zinc throughout the composite and a greatly increased area for reaction.