The complete catalytic oxidation of trichloroethylene (TCE) over palladium supported on alumina was evaluated. The effect of temperature, inlet TCE concentration, and the space time on the reaction rate and selectivity was examined with the aim of better understanding of the reaction pathway. TCE oxidation reactions were carried out in a conventional fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric pressure under conditions of lean TCE concentration (600-1300 ppm) in air, between 150 and 550 degreesC; space time was varied between I 100 and 3500 kg s mol(TCE)(-1). The outlet composition was analyzed by a gas chromatograph, equipped with an electron capture detector (ECD) and a thermal conductivity detector (TCD). The product (CO, CO2, C2O4, HCl, and Cl-2) distribution kinetic data were used to formulate a set of reaction rate equations that account for a five-reaction network. The kinetic model, based on an Eley-Rideal type of mechanism, correlated kinetic data. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.