Impact of Catalytic Oxidation Operating Conditions on VOC and CO Conversions on the Pt-Pd/Al₂O₃ Catalyst

Abstract

The catalytic oxidation pilot unit with a fixed catalytic bed and Pt-Pd/Al2O3 catalyst was implemented before eventual full-scale use of the new catalytic oxidation technology for VOC abatement in the waste gas stream from acrylic acid related production. The pilot unit was used for long-term test, stress test, start-up tests of the catalytic reactor and different technological conditions tests. The long term test proved that chosen catalyst and technological layout can lower operating costs and still meet emission limits for VOC and CO. The estimated payback period of given investment was under 5 years. The stress test showed that unit can be partially overloaded (gas flows exceeding design value). In technological conditions tests, impact of the different gas flow and oxygen concentration levels on conversions of VOC and CO was observed. Such tests can help find out the optimal operating conditions for both pilot plant and full scale plant. It was discovered, that impact of the different oxygen concentration levels and gas flows in quite different for the conversions of VOC and CO. Results of the technological conditions tests and start-up tests are summarised in this contribution.