Low temperature catalytic decomposition and oxidation of MTBE

Catalytic combustion of methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) was studied in the g as-phase from an aqueous solution spiked with MTBE (1.1 mM), to simulate ac tual remediation conditions. The solution of MTBE was sparged with an oxyge n/helium gas, at a ratio of 1-4. The sparged gas stream of MTBE and water v apor was passed over catalysts utilizing Pt/Rh or Pd in conjunction with a mixed metal oxide based upon La1-xSrxMnO3. The results were compared to a c ommercial catalyst which contained a higher loading of Pt. The experiments with the catalysts were conducted over a temperature range of 80-500 degree sC. Combustion to CO2 and water was observed in all cases, but by-product f ormation of isobutene and methanol was seen at lower temperatures for all o f the catalysts tested, with the exception of the commercial catalyst. The catalyst with the lowest loading of Pt/Rh achieved the lowest temperature f or complete oxidation of MTBE and its by-products. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.