Process and apparatus for alkyl halide fumigant recovery and conversion

A process for capturing and converting fumigants using an absorber/scrubber apparatus, said process comprising the steps of:

• a) feeding an aqueous alcohol and metal hydroxide buffer solution into said absorber/scrubber apparatus;
• b) feeding an alkyl halide fumigant/air mixture into said absorber/scrubber apparatus such that said fumigant/air mixture contacts said buffer solution, wherein a fumigant component of said fumigant/air mixture transfers from said fumigant/air mixture to said buffer solution, said fumigant component reacting with a metal hydroxide component of said buffer solution to yield a second mixture comprising at least one alcohol, unreacted metal hydroxide, and a metal halide;
• c) discharging said second mixture from said absorber/scrubber apparatus;
• and
• d) separating said metal halide from said second mixture to yield solid metal halide and a third mixture comprising an aqueous alcohol and metal hydroxide solution.