No.5（2010）12.Catalytic emission control of VOC using cheap metal oxides

Shouichi Somekawa, Kazunari Domen

  Catalytic oxidation is one of the most developed techniques for elimination of VOC (volatile organic compounds), as it requires lower temperature (250-350 o C) than thermal oxidation (700-800 o C). The most active catalysts for VOC degradation are based on platinum, which are dispersed on high surface area supports. However, their wide application remains difficult due to the high material cost. Therefore, it is important to develop low-cost catalysts, i.e., noble metal-free catalysts. In this study, we took notice of cheap metal oxides, ex. Ce, Co, Cu oxides, which could decompose toluene and ethyl acetate totally at lower reaction temperature than Pt catalyst. Moreover, these metal oxides catalysts were highly stable and could keep its activity in the presence of water vapor. While, the addition of water vapor significantly inhibited the activity of the Pt catalyst. Finally the CuO-Co3O4-CeO2 molded catalysts containing 10 wt% kaolin (clay) were prepared by a transfer molding method for practical application.

Keywords

Volatile organic compounds, total decomposition, metal oxides

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