Gas phase oxidation of n-decane and PCE by photocatalysis using an annular photoreactor packed with a monolithic catalytic bed coated with P25 and PC500

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Ricardo A. R. Monteiro (Author) FEUP; Sandra M. Miranda (Author) FEUP; Caio Rodrigues Silva (Author) FEUP; Joaquim L. Faria (Author) FEUP; Adrián M. T. Silva (Author) FEUP; Rui A. R. Boaventura (Author) FEUP; Vítor J. P. Vilar (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Vol. 165

Pages: 306-315

ISSN: 0926-3373

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 24 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 39 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Technology > Environmental technology

Associated Projects

AIRPHOTOXI - AIRPHOTOXI-DESTOXIFICAÇÃO SOLAR DE AR INTERIOR: BIOAEROSSÓIS E COVs

LA 20 - PROJECTO ESTRATÉGICO - LA 20 - 2013-2014

LSRE/LCM LA - RL2_P4 - Catalysis and Materials

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-X6Y

DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2014.10.026

Abstract (EN): Perchloroethylene (PCE) and n-decane are persistently present in the indoor air of several industrial/corporate: facilities and households. The present paper reports studies on the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of n-decane and PCE using an annular photoreactor equipped with a compound parabolic collector (CPC) and packed with transparent cellulose acetate monolithic structures coated with two commercially, available TiO2, namely PC500 and P25, under simulated solar light. Such configuration allowed the illumination of the whole tubular reactor perimeter and catalytic bed, enhancing therefore the photonic efficiency and to take advantage of the low pressure drop and the high surface-area-to-volume ratio, typical of honeycomb reactors. The influence of the type of TiO2, feed flow rate, pollutant concentration, relative humidity, gas-phase molecular oxygen and irradiance on the pollutants PCO was assessed. PC500 film showed higher conversion of both pollutants in comparison with P25 despite the lower mass of catalyst used for film coating. n-Decane (C-dec,C-feed =71 ppm) and PCE (C-PCE,C-feed =1095 ppm) conversions close to 100% were obtained operating at Q(feed) = 150 cm(3) min(-1) (tau = 88 s), I = 38.4 W-UV m(-2) and RH = 40%. The mineralization's of PCE over both photocatalytic films were similar. However, n-decane was 100% and 69% mineralized respectively over PC500 and P25 films, under the same operating conditions. In addition, competitive adsorption between the pollutants and water molecules on the TiO2 film surface was observed above 20% of RH. Results obtained at low RH suggest that Cl-center dot radical chain propagation reactions may be included in the PCO mechanism of PCE. Finally, the absence of oxygen drastically impairs the photoreaction.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10