Pilot VOC emissions mitigation by catalytic oxidation over commercial noble metal catalysts for cleaner production

Catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a widely used method for VOC emissions mitigation essential for the long-term sustainability of clean and efficient industrial production. In this experimental study, chemical representatives of different VOC groups were subjected to deep catalytic oxidation on a pilot scale. State-of-the-art monolithic and spherical pelletized commercially available catalysts containing precious metals (Pt, Pd) as the active compounds were used. Experimental conditions (gas flow, high loads of VOC, and real flue gas mixture) were as close as possible to the real full-scale applications. For each catalyst and the tested VOC, a light-off curve was obtained and T₅₀ and T₉₀ values (temperatures corresponding to 50% and 90% conversions) were calculated. T₅₀ and T₉₀ values obtained in this pilot-scale study were compared with other laboratory-scale studies outcomes. T₅₀ values are not significantly different; however, T₉₀ are higher for the pilot scale. The interesting aspect of this comparison is to see if newly developed catalysts have better performance than already adopted and used commercial samples of VOC oxidation catalysts. The lowest T₅₀ values were observed over Pt,Pd (1:1)—monolith sample, and lowest T₉₀ over Pt,Pd/Al₂O₃,CeO₂—pelletized catalyst.