Low temperature catalytic oxidation of aldehydes using wood fly ash and molecular oxygen

Aldehydes, such a 2-methylbutanal (2-MB) and 3-methylbutanal (3-MB), are odorous and regulated VOCs generated in the poultry rendering process that are ineffectively removed in chemical wet scrubbers. It was theorized that wood fly ash or selective crystalline phases in the ash could act to catalyze the oxidation of aldehydes at room temperature in the presence of ClO2, resulting in a low-cost/energy air pollution control method. Results indicate that wood fly ash catalyzed the oxidation (i.e., breakdown) of 2-MB and 3-MB both in the presence of ClO2 and with just O2 (i.e., air) itself, potentially via a free radical mechanism. Aldehyde oxidation did not occur at measurable rates without the wood fly ash or activated carbon. The presence of ClO2 did not increase the rate, but altered the end products of oxidation. Wood fly ash also catalyzed the oxidation of 2-MB in the presence of air, leading to the appearance of 2-butanone, compared to acetone from 3-MB. Contact times of 30s reduced 3-MB levels by ∼40% in bench scale, batch reactors. Similar results were found using activated charcoal (i.e., in terms of contact times), except that higher molecular weight compounds appeared to be formed. Continuous catalytic oxidation of 3-MB using wood fly ash was also demonstrated in a fixed-bed reactor at room temperature; the overall oxidation rate appeared to be first order with respect to 3-MB and a representative conversion of 20% at an inlet concentration of 67ppmv and 2s residence time (GHSV 18001/h, 25°C, 1atm) was measured. Results indicate the potential of using inexpensive solid waste materials to breakdown C5 aldehydes in rendering emissions to CO2, H2O, and less odor offensive compounds, but a carbon balance on the reaction and complete identification of end products are required for implementation.