Catalytic wet oxidation of ethylene glycol as refractory compound was studied in a batch slurry reactor using lwt% $Pt/A1_2O_3$, lwt% $Pt/TiO_2,;Mn/CeO_2$(1:1) and 5wt% $Mn/Al_2O_3$. Experiments were conducted to investigate theeffects of temperature, initial ethylene glycol concentration, catalyst dosage and PH on the ethylene glycol decomposition. When compared with the uncatalyzed reaction, the use of catalysts could increase the rate of ethylene glycol decomposition. The lwt% $Pt/A1_2O_3$ catalyst was preferable to the other catalysts for the destructive oxidation of ethylene glycol. The reaction rate was first order with respect to initial concentration of ethylene glycol. In acidic condition the removal efficiency of ethylene glycol was good, but there was a significant leaching of platinum. Small amount of acetic acid, oxalic acid, masonic acid and formic acid as intermediates were detected during catalytic wet air oxidation of ethylene glycol.