USM researchers develop a highly active and stable catalyst for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Air Stream

Removal efficiencies of above 95% have been achieved for ethyl acetate at 300 degrees Celcius at a flow rate of about twice that of conventional oxide catalysts.

A novel catalyst for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Air Stream

Researchers:
Dr Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah
Prof. Subhash Bhatia
Dr. Mohamad Zailani Abu Bakar

Catalytic combustion is a viable method for VOC removal by converting them into carbon dioxide and water. An ideal catalyst should be cheap but shows high activity, carbon dioxide yield and hydrothermal stability but low in coking activity.

The developed novel catalyst is a modified ZSM-5 zeolite supported bimetallic catalyst. It is prepared through a proprietary method with low cost chromium as the core active metal. The support used is highly crystalline and hydrothermally stable ZSM-5 that results in low coking activity of this catalyst.

This support has been modified with SiCl4 to further suppress coking activity while improving hydrothermal stability, hydrophobicity and its resistance in the combustion of chlorinated VOCs. Copper at the right proportion with chromium significantly improves the carbon dioxide yield while further suppressing the coking activity.

Removal efficiencies of above 95% have been achieved for ethyl acetate at 300 degrees Celcius at a flow rate of about twice that of conventional oxide catalysts. The maximum coke content is 6 wt % but the activity loss is minimal. The deactivation in the combustion of chlorinated VOCs is limited to about 10 %. In conclusion, a highly active and stable catalyst has been developed in this research

For more information contact
Dr Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah
Universiti Sains Malaysia

(Contact details available to registered journalists)

Published: 30 Oct 2005

Contact details:

Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Minden Penang

++604-6533888 (Main Campus), ++609-7651704/00/11(Health Campus), ++604-5937788 (Engineering Campus)
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