Advanced oxidation of aromatic VOCs using a pilot system with electron beam–catalyst coupling

The decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using a pilot system of electron beam (EB)–catalyst coupling was investigated. Two aromatic VOCs, toluene (1800 ppmC) and o-xylene (1500 ppmC), were irradiated with a dose range of 0–10 kGy at room temperature. The removal efficiencies for toluene and o-xylene were 92.4% and 94.5%, respectively, under a 10 kGy absorbed dose condition, which were higher than the results of 45.7% and 52.3% when EB-only was used, respectively. The CO2 selectivity approached 100% for both toluene and o-xylene using the EB-catalyst coupling system, while the concentrations of O3 formed were 0.02 ppm (toluene) and 0.003 ppm (o-xylene) at 10 kGy. The aerosol concentration was also measured as 43.2 μg/m3 (toluene) and 53.4 μg/m3 (o-xylene) at 10 kGy absorbed dose.

► Pilot-scale of electron beam (EB)–catalyst coupling employed to control VOCs. ► The removal efficiency of VOC was doubled when EB–catalyst was used. ► The O3 concentration was reduced remarkably. ► The aerosol level was lowered very efficiently. ► CO2 selectivity was drastically improved from 38.4% to about 91.3%.