Effect of different catalysts on the decomposition of VOCs using flow-type plasma-driven catalysis

This paper presents the effect of different catalysts on the decomposition of benzene and toluene using flow-type plasma-driven catalyst (PDC) system. Three representative materials of titanium dioxide, two types of gamma-alumina and two zeolites were tested. Several types of metal catalysts (Ag, Ni, Pt, Pd) and their loading amount were also investigated for the optimization of the PDC system. Three key factors of energy consumption, carbon balance and safety of products were emphasized in evaluating the performance of different catalysts. The type of catalysts greatly influenced on the carbon balance, CO₂ selectivity, ozone formation, while no much difference was observed in the degree of enhancement in energy efficiency. Pt/gamma-Al₂O₃ catalyst was found to be effective in enhancing the CO₂ selectivity. The CO₂ selectivity increased as Ag-loading amount on TiO₂ catalyst increased. The 4.0 wt% Ag/TiO₂ catalyst was effective in suppressing the formation of NO₂ and N₂ O. Zeolites showed comparable decomposition efficiency and good carbon balance, while the CO₂ selectivity was poor compared to the other catalysts. Mechanical mixing of 2.0 wt% Ag/H-Y zeolite with Pt/gamma-Al₂O₃ was effective in enhancing the CO ₂ selectivity without changing other performance