Solar photocatalytic gas-phase degradation of n-decane-a comparative study using cellulose acetate monoliths coated with P25 or sol-gel TiO2 films

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

Authors

Sandra M. Miranda (Author) FEUP; Filipe V. S. Lopes (Author) FEUP; Caio Rodrigues-Silva (Author) FEUP; Susana D. S. Martins (Author) FEUP; Adrián M. T. Silva (Author) FEUP; Joaquim L. Faria (Author) FEUP; Rui A. R. Boaventura (Author) FEUP; Vítor J. P. Vilar (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Vol. 22 No. 2

Pages: 820-832

ISSN: 0944-1344

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 11 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Technology > Environmental technology

Associated Projects

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

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

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-5M9

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2952-2

Abstract (EN): Cellulose acetate monoliths (CAM) were used as the substrate for the deposition of TiO2 films to produce honeycombed photoactive structures to fill a tubular photoreactor equipped with a compound parabolic collector. By using such a setup, an efficient single-pass gas-phase conversion was achieved in the degradation of n-decane, a model volatile organic compound. The CAM three-dimensional, gas-permeable transparent structure with a rugged surface enables a good adhesion of the catalytic coating. It also provides a rigid structure for packing the tubular photoreactor, and maximizing the illuminated catalyst surface. The efficiency of the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) process on n-decane degradation was evaluated under different operating conditions, such as feeding concentration (73 and 146 ppm), gas stream flow rate (73, 150, and 300 mL min(-1)), relative humidity (3 and 25 %), and UV irradiance (18.9, 29.1, and 38.4 W-UV m(-2)). The results show that n-decane degradation by neat photolysis is negligible, but mineralization efficiencies of 86 and 82 % were achieved with P25-CAM and SG-CAM, respectively, for parent pollutant conversions above 95 %, under steady-state conditions. A mass transfer model, considering the mass balance to the plug-flow packed photoreactor, and PCO reaction given by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood bimolecular non-competitive two types of sites equation, was able to predict well the PCO kinetics under steady-state conditions, considering all the operational parameters tested. Overall, the performance of P25-CAM was superior taking into account mineralization efficiency, cost of preparation, surface roughness, and robustness of the deposited film.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13