Photocatalytic decomposition of NO by TiO2 particles

The effects of initial NO concentration, gas-residence time, reaction temperature and ultraviolet (UV) light intensity on the photocatalytic decomposition of NO have been determined in an annular flow-type and a modified two-dimensional fluidized-bed photoreactors. The decomposition of NO by photocatalysis increases with decreasing initial NO concentration and increasing gas-residence time. The reaction rate increases with increasing UV light intensity. The light transmission increases exponentially with the bed voidage at superficial gas velocity above 1.3 times the minimum fluidizing velocity (U-mf) in the two-dimensional fluidized-bed photoreactor. In the two-dimensional fluidized-bed photoreactor, NO decomposition reaches >70% at the gas velocity of 2.5 U-mf. A two-dimensional fluidized-bed photoreactor is an effective tool for high NO decomposition with efficient utilization of photon energy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.