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Hazardous organic wastes, including chlorinated hydrocarbons, in aqueous media containing salts can be effectively oxidized by treatment above the critical point of pure water (374°C, 221 bar). High destruction efficiencies may be achieved at low reactor residence times (approximately 1 minute or less) for temperatures above 550°C. Under these conditions, no NOx compounds are produced. The high solubility of organics and oxygen and the low solubility of salts in supercritical water make it an attractive medium for both oxidation and salt separation. This paper reviews critical technology components and operations required for commercial-scale development of supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). These include fluid handling and compression, heat exchange and recuperative heat recovery, reactor and salt separator design and materials considerations. In addition, a summary of fundamental research activities in the areas of oxidation reaction kinetics and mechanisms and solid salt nucleation and deposition is presented in the context of its impact on SCWO process development.