Abstract
The treatment of wastewaters containing hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) requires the simultaneous treatment of both water and air. Refractory toluene, extensively studied for its removal, provides a basis for the comparison of its abatement methods. The oxidation of aqueous toluene by gas-phase pulsed corona discharge (PCD) in combination with the subsequent photocatalytic treatment of exhaust air was studied. The PCD treatment showed unequalled energy efficiencies in aqueous and gaseous toluene oxidation, reaching, respectively, up to 10.5 and 29.6 g·kW−1·h−1. The PCD exhaust air contained toluene residues and ozone in concentrations not exceeding 0.1 and 0.6 mg·L−1, respectively. As a result of the subsequent photocatalytic treatment, both airborne residues were eliminated within a contact time with TiO2 as short as 12 s. The results contribute to the possible application of the studied approach in closed-loop energy-saving ventilation systems.
Highlights
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial wastewaters present a challenge in their removal if stripping to the atmosphere is avoided
We failed to find publications concerning the electric discharge application towards combined treatment of water and air polluted with VOCs
This observation might point to the potential similarity in the roles of ozone in both photocatalytic and pulsed corona discharge (PCD) oxidation: less ozone in the gas phase results in a lower yield of carbon monoxide
Summary
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial wastewaters present a challenge in their removal if stripping to the atmosphere is avoided. The abatement of aqueous and gaseous toluene using non-thermal plasma of electric discharges has been studied previously [12,13,14,15]. These studies only report the results obtained in either the aqueous or the gaseous phase, without considering the necessity to control pollutant removal in both phases. Cm dia and air is applied in the present study, combining gas-phase electric discharge with simultaneously removing toluene from polluted aqueous the subsequent photocatalytic oxidation of exhaust air. Media and air is applied in the present study, combining gas-phase electric discharge with the subsequent photocatalytic oxidation of exhaust air
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
