Bench-Scale Test of Toluene Decomposition Using Adsorption and Surface Discharge with Gas Circulation

The bench-scale test of toluene decomposition is carried out using adsorption and surface discharge with gas circulation. The liquid toluene is vaporized in the circulation line, and the toluene gas is adsorbed by the adsorbent. The hydrophobic zeolite pellet is used as an adsorbent. After the toluene adsorption, ozone generated by surface discharge is supplied to the adsorbent and adsorbed toluene is decomposed. Because the gas is circulated during toluene decomposition, ozone is used to decompose toluene effectively without waste. As a result, adsorbed toluene is converted to COx efficiently using surface discharge with gas circulation; 88% and 43% of conversion ratio of toluene to COx are achieved when 1 and 6 ml of toluene are decomposed for 90 and 150 min, respectively. In addition, the more than 89% of CO2 selectivity is obtained when 1 and 6 ml of toluene are decomposed. The conversion rate of toluene to COx and the energy efficiency of toluene conversion to COx increase with the amount of adsorbed toluene.