Nitrates removal from polluted aquifers using (Sn or Cu)/Pd catalysts in a continuous reactor

The aim of this work is to study the catalytic removal of nitrates in natural water (not the water prepared in the laboratory by adding a nitrate salt to distilled water) from polluted aquifers, using a continuous stirred tank reactor. The catalysts studied are (Cu or Sn)/Pd supported on alumina. The activity and selectivity of these catalysts in different types of polluted waters are analyzed, optimizing the Pd–metal ratio and the reaction conditions. The deactivation of the catalysts, when using different types of water, is studied and discussed.