TiO sub(2) Reactivation in Photocatalytic Destruction of Gaseous Diethyl Sulfide in a Coil Reactor

Scientists conducted tests investigating diethyl sulfide (DES) catalytic oxidation in a flow research reactor with titanium dioxide Hombikat UV 100 deposited onto the internal surface of a Pyrex coil. The reactor was designed to enable simple reactivation of the catalyst via washing with water. Researchers did not detect any mass transfer limitations in the proposed reactor. Evidence indicated that the catalyst experienced deactivation following several hours of complete DES mineralization. Another technique for catalyst reactivation is described that involved irradiation of the photocatalyst until complete mineralization of adsorbed organic products with subsequent washing with water. Factors that influenced the deactivation time are identified.