THE CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN A PACKED-BED REACTOR

The catalytic oxidation of several hydrocarbons was studied over noble metal and metal oxide catalysts. A fast empirical method was develope d to determine the minimum operating temperature required to guarantee complete conversion of the hydrocarbon. The influence of the operatin g parameters such as the inlet concentration and residence time, as we ll as the chemical character of the component to be oxidized, have bee n investigated. The results can be described satisfactorily by a simpl e isothermal, plug flow reactor model and first-order reaction kinetic s. In the case of simultaneous oxidation of different components a sig nificant mixture effect was not observed. The presence of water in the feed did significantly inhibit the oxidation of alkanes. Of the appli ed catalysts, Pt was the most effective for the combustion of the alke nes, whereas Pd showed a higher activity for the oxidation of alkanes.