Catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds

The Pt/HFAU(47) catalyst suffered some deactivation in long duration experiments, probably as a result of coke accumulation. It was found that there is an optimal oxygen partial pressure in the feed: at low oxygen content the accumulated coke compounds are less oxidised; at high oxygen contents platinum oxidation can occur. The presence of water vapour did not have a major effect on the catalyst performance; however, the presence of o-xylene inhibited the oxidation of MIBK, while the oxidation of o-xylene was not affected.