VOC oxidation in excess of oxygen using flow-through catalytic membrane reactor

Platinum gamma-alumina (Pt/γ-Al2O3) impregnated membrane was prepared through the evaporative-crystallization deposition method for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) conversion to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The catalytic oxidation of VOCs (propane, n-butane and propylene), fed alone with oxygen were obtained after characterization (SEM-EDXA observation, BET measurement, permeability assessment). VOC conversion of 95%, 52% and 82% for propane, n-butane and propylene was achieved at 378 °C, 245 °C and 420 °C respectively, by varying the reaction temperature using the contactor flow-through catalytic membrane reactor operating in the Knudsen flow regime. The BET surface area and the pore diameter of the 3.52 wt% Pt membrane are 0.426 m2/g and 3.70 nm respectively. The results are comparable with the literature.