Catalytic destruction of volatile organic compound emissions by platinum based catalyst

Pt/γ-Al2O3 (spheres) catalysts were prepared by depositing a resilient coating of Pt metal on the external surface of the support. Using a bench-scale rig, the developed Pt/Al2O3 catalysts were investigated for their destruction efficiencies with a variety of VOCs in air-streams (VOC concentrations between 600–700 ppm) at space velocities ranging from 13,000 to 20,000 h−1 (flow rates between 865–1335 ml/min) at atmospheric pressure. Catalytic activity was enhanced with an increase of Pt loading on Al2O3 support up to 0.3 % Pt. The 0.3 % Pt/Al2O3 showed above 99 % conversion efficiency and stability with non-halogenated VOCs at inlet reaction temperatures ranging between 196–355 °C, but it was deactivated by destruction of chlorinated VOCs. Ageing the 0.3 % Pt used catalyst at 550 °C for a longer period did not affect its activity. Pretreatment of the 0.3 % Pt developed catalyst with hydrogen also did not improve activity in the destruction of toluene in air, compared to the fresh prepared catalyst.