Application of high silica zeolite ZSM-5 in a hybrid treatment process based on sequential adsorption and ozonation for VOCs elimination

Hicham Zaitan (1) , Marie-Hélène Manero (2) , Héctor Valdés (3)

1 Laboratoire de chimie de la matière condensée - LCMC (Fès, Maroc)
2 LGC - Laboratoire de Génie Chimique
3 Laboratorio de Tecnologías Limpias (Concepción, Chili)

In this study, a hydrophobic synthetic zeolite, namely ZSM-5 is chosen as an adsorbent/catalyst for toluene removal. Experimental results showed that toluene adsorption onto ZSM-5 was favourable, following a Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. ZSM-5 zeolite was regenerated using gaseous ozone at low temperature. Adsorbed toluene was oxidised, releasing mainly CO2 and H2O. Traces of oxidation by-products such as acetic acid and acetaldehyde were formed and remained adsorbed after the oxidativate regeneration with ozone. After four successive cycles of adsorption/ozonation, the adsorption efficiency was not affected (92%–99%). These results showed that volatile organic compound (VOC) removal by adsorption onto ZSM-5 zeolite followed by ozone regeneration could be used as a promising hybrid process for the control of VOC emissions in terms of efficiency.

Mots clés: Adsorption; Ozone; Toluene; VOCs; Zeolite

Domaines: Génie chimique; Génie des procédés

Hicham Zaitan, Marie-Hélène Manero, Héctor Valdés. Application of high silica zeolite ZSM-5 in a hybrid treatment process based on sequential adsorption and ozonation for VOCs elimination. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2016, 41, pp.59-68. ⟨10.1016/j.jes.2015.05.021⟩. ⟨hal-02134855⟩