An insight into Ru/TiO2 catalyzed wet air oxidation of N-ethylethanolamine in an aqueous solution

The catalytic wet air oxidation of N-ethylethanolamine (EEA) over 5% (w/w) Ru/TiO2 catalyst was investigated at 500 mg L−1 EEA concentration, in the temperature range of 423–473 K, O2 partial pressure of 0.34–1.38 MPa and catalyst loading of 0.33–1.32 kg m−3 in a kinetically controlled regime. The fate of ‘N’ atom of EEA was also investigated. 5% Ru/TiO2 was found to be effective catalyst for complete degradation of EEA and active in the conversion of –NH– group of EEA to N2. The highest conversion of –NH– to N2 was about 70% at 448 K. Under partial resistance to mass transfer the selectivity to N2 was marginally enhanced. Ethylamine (EA) was formed as an intermediate and found to be relatively refractory. The kinetic data was modeled using the power law rate expression in terms of total organic carbon (TOC). The experimental data could be best correlated by Langmuir–Hinshelwood type reaction model involving dual site dissociative adsorption of O2.