Abstract
Catalytic incineration of ethylbenzene has been investigated over metal oxide catalysts coated on monolith supports. Co3O4, Cr2O3 and a mixed form of these were prepared and tested. Studies were carried out at 1 atm pressure in a fixed-bed reactor with 865% excess air. Prior experiments were conducted without catalyst from which it was found that 46% of ethylbenzene was converted at the maximum temperature tested, i.e. 400°C. All the catalysts produced higher conversion rates than that of the homogeneous experiments; nevertheless, with none of these was complete combustion of ethylbenzene achieved. The maximum conversions obtained were 76% over Cr2O3 and 74% over Co3O4 at 400°C. The adsorption of hydrocarbons and other products on the catalysts was investigated. Both Cr2O3 and Co3O4 catalysts were analysed by infrared spectroscopy, both before and after the catalyst testing experiments.