Photocatalytic degradation of methanol using silica-titania composite pellets: effect of pore size on mass transfer and reaction kinetics.

Nanostructured silica-titania composites (STC) synthesized with varying pore sizes (45, 134, and 299 angstroms) were tested for the removal of methanol from a humid air stream. The STC pellets were characterized for surface area and pore size distribution and tested in a packed-bed photocatalytic reactor for methanol removal and oxidation. While the pore size distributions for all STC were unimodal, STC with larger average pore sizes exhibited a broader pore size distribution.

Development of a regenerable system employing silica-titania composites for the recovery of mercury from end-box exhaust at a chlor-alkali facility.

The release of mercury to the environment is of particular concern because of its volatility, persistence, and tendency to bioaccumulate. The recovery of mercury from end-box exhaust at chlor-alkali facilities is important to prevent release into the environment and reduce emissions as required by NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants). A pilot-scale photocatalytic reactor packed with silica-titania composite (STC) pellets was tested at a chloralkali facility over a 3-month period.