EVALUATION OF CATALYSTS FOR VAPOR-PHASE OXIDATION OF ODOROUS ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS

An integral flow reactor was used to evaluate the odor reducing capabilities of four commercially available catalysts consisting of 0.5% platinum, 0.1% platinum, 0.5% palladium and 10% copper oxide supported on γ-alumina. Oxidation of four organic odorants, n-butanol, n-butyraldehyde, n-butyric acid and toluene was carried out at reactor inlet temperatures ranging from 116°C to 497°C, for space velocities of 50000, 80000 and 100000 h-1. Conversion of the odorants was determined with a gas Chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. Odor levels were determined according to the ASTM dilution method. The platinum catalysts were found to be more effective in terms of chemical conversion as well as odor removal efficiency. The palladium and copper oxide catalysts required much higher temperatures than the platinum catalysts for comparable performance. The ease of oxidation of the odorous compounds depended on the type of catalyst. Both the palladium and copper oxide catalysts appeared to promote reactions that led to the formation of odorous partial oxidation products, but this was not apparent with the platinum catalysts. © 1978.