Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation of Oxalic Acid Using Ceria-promoted Pt/Al2O3

Catalytic wet air oxidation of oxalic acid using ceria-promoted Pt/Al2O3 catalyst was studied in a glass reactor operated at atmospheric pressure. The catalyst was prepared by the excess solution impregnation method and the catalyst characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, hydrogen chemisorption and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The effect of initial concentration of oxalic acid, air flow rate, reaction temperature and ceria loading on oxidation of oxalic acid was investigated. The activation energy was found to be 42 kJ/mol and a rate equation was proposed for the oxidation of oxalic acid. Catalyst deactivation and regeneration were studied. It was noticed that the presence of ceria reduced the deactivation of the Pt/Al2O3 catalyst.