Author(s)

H. Chu, T. K. Tseng & H. H. Hsu

Abstract

The characterization of y-alumina supported manganese oxide as an incineration catalyst for trichloroethylene H. Chu, T. K. Tseng & H. H. Hsu Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. Abstract Trichloroethylene (TCE) decomposed over a MnO/y-Al2O3 catalyst in a fixed bed reactor was conducted in this study. The MnO/y-Al2O3 powders were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method with aqueous solution of manganese nitrate. The catalyst was characterized by TGA, X-ray diffraction, porosity analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The products and reactants distribution from the oxidation of TCE over MnO/y-Al2O3 were observed. A life test of the catalyst on TCE was performed to identify the chlorine poisoning effect. The catalysts were characterized by porosity analysis and elemental analysis before and after the tests. 1 Introduction Halogenated volatile organic compounds emissions are associated to a wide range of industrial processes; for instance, trichloroethylene (TCE) is mainly used in metal degreasing processes and known to be hazardous to the environment and public health. Some people believe that the best technique to eliminate these toxic materials in the waste stream is catalytic oxidation. [l] Therefore, heterogeneous catalytic incineration has been paid the most attention lately because it is a final disposal and energy saving process. [2, 3] The present study focuses on the characterization of supported manganese oxide catalysts on the activity and product yield in the vapor-phase oxidation of TCE under excess of air between 175°C and 5OO0C, with the aim of enhancing our understanding of the reaction pathway.

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