Evaluation of the performance of catalytic oxidation of VOCs by a mixed oxide at a semi-pilot scale†

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the main contributors to air pollution. To reduce anthropogenic emissions, it is necessary to improve existing techniques such as catalytic oxidation through the development of new cost-effective catalysts. Although many studies deal with the development and testing of new materials, most are performed at laboratory scale, of which only a few study mixtures of VOCs. To assess their viability for industrial applications, further tests are required, namely, mixture tests at intermediate scale in relevant environment and extrapolated on an industrial scale. In this work, the catalytic performance of a new mixed oxide Co-Al-Ce was investigated towards the oxidation of the n-butanol and toluene on a semi-pilot scale (TRL 4). Single component and mixture experiments were performed for several concentrations at a fixed flow rate. A commercial catalyst Pd/gamma-Al2O3 was used as the benchmark to evaluate the performance of the mixed oxide. The Co-Al-Ce catalyst enables complete oxidation of n-butanol at the same temperature as the reference catalyst. Moreover, it provides a better selectivity for n-butanol, while providing an equivalent one for the oxidation of toluene. In mixtures, the presence of n-butanol promotes the oxidation of toluene for both catalysts but more significantly for the Co-Al-Ce catalyst. The presence of toluene inhibits the oxidation of n-butanol for the Co-Al-Ce and promotes it for high conversions of n-butanol for the Pd/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the catalytic performance of a new mixed oxide Co-Al-Ce towards the oxidation of n-butanol and toluene, showing its excellent oxidation ability for n-butanol and promoting effect on the oxidation of toluene in mixtures. The mixed oxide outperformed the commercial catalyst in semi-pilot scale testing.