“Analytic versus CFD approach for kinetic modeling of gas phase photocatalysis”. Verbruggen SW, Lenaerts S, Denys S, Chemical engineering journal 262, 1 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2014.09.041
Abstract: In this work two methods for determining the LangmuirHinshelwood kinetic parameters for a slit-shaped flat bed photocatalytic reactor are compared: an analytic mass transfer based model adapted from literature and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach that was used in conjunction with a simplex optimization routine. Despite the differences between both approaches, similar values for the kinetic parameters and similar trends in terms of their UV intensity dependence were found. Using an effectiveness-NTU (number of transfer units) approach, the analytic mass transfer based method could quantify the relative contributions of the rate limiting steps through a reaction effectiveness parameter. The numeric CFD approach on the other hand could yield the two kinetic parameters that determine the photocatalytic reaction rate simultaneously. Furthermore, it proved to be more accurate as it accounts for the spatial variation of flow rate, reaction rate and concentrations at the surface of the photocatalyst. We elaborate this dual kinetic analysis with regard to the photocatalytic degradation of acetaldehyde in air over a silicon wafer coated with a layer of TiO2 P25 (Evonik) and study the usefulness and limitations of both strategies.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.216
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2014.09.041
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“Photocatalytic degradation of soot deposition : self-cleaning effect on titanium dioxide coated cementitious materials”. Smits M, Chan C kit, Tytgat T, Craeye B, Costarramone N, Lacombe S, Lenaerts S, Chemical engineering journal 222, 411 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2013.02.089
Abstract: Diesel soot emissions deteriorate the appearance of architectural building materials by soot fouling. This soot deposition devalue the aesthetic value of the building. A solution to counteract this problem is applying titanium dioxide on building materials. TiO2 can provide air-purifying and self-cleaning properties due to its photocatalytic activity. In literature, photocatalytic soot oxidation is observed on glass or silicon substrates. However, degradation of soot by photocatalysis was not yet investigated on cementitious samples (mortar, concrete) although it is one of the most frequently used building materials. In this study, photocatalytic soot oxidation by means of TiO2 coated cementitious samples is addressed. The soot removal capacity of four types of TiO2 layers, coated on mortar samples, is evaluated by means of two detection methods. The first method is based on colorimetric measurements, while the second method uses digital image processing to calculate the area of soot coverage. The experimental data revealed that cementitious materials coated with commercially available TiO2 exhibited self-cleaning properties as it was found that all coated samples were able to remove soot. The P25 coating gave the best soot degradation performance, while the Eoxolit product showed the slowest soot degradation rate. In addition, gas chromatography measurements in a closed chamber experiment with P25 confirmed that complete mineralization of about 60% of the soot was obtained within 24 hours since CO2 was the sole observed oxidation product. Due to its realistic approach, this study proves that photocatalytic soot removal on TiO2 coated cementitious surfaces is possible in practice, which is an important step towards the practical application of self-cleaning building materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.216
Times cited: 43
DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2013.02.089
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“Photocatalytic process optimisation for ethylene oxidation”. Tytgat T, Hauchecorne B, Abakumov AM, Smits M, Verbruggen SW, Lenaerts S, Chemical engineering journal 209, 494 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2012.08.032
Abstract: When studying photocatalysis it is important to consider, beside the chemical approach, the engineering part related to process optimisation. To achieve this a fixed bed photocatalytic set-up consisting of different catalyst placings, in order to vary catalyst distribution, is studied. The use of a fixed quantity of catalyst placed packed or randomly distributed in the reactor, results in an almost double degradation for the distributed catalyst. Applying this knowledge leads to an improved performance with limited use of catalyst. A reactor only half filled with catalyst leads to higher degradation performance compared to a completely filled reactor. Taking into account this simple process optimisation by better distributing the catalyst a more sustainable photocatalytic air purification process is achieved. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.216
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2012.08.032
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“Smart heating profiles for the synthesis of benzene bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas”. Smeulders G, van Oers C, Van Havenbergh K, Houthoofd K, Mertens M, Martens JA, Bals S, Maes BUW, Meynen V, Cool P, Chemical engineering journal 175, 585 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2011.09.116
Abstract: In this study the effects of the heating rate and heating time on the formation of crystal-like benzene bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) are investigated. The time needed to heat up an autoclave during the hydrothermal treatment has shown to be crucial in the synthesis of PMOs, while the total duration of heating gave rise to only minor differences. By choosing a smart heating profile, superior PMO materials can be obtained in a short time. Different heating profiles in a range from one minute to one hour are adopted by microwave equipment and compared with conventional heating methods. The heating rate has a large influence on the porosity characteristics and the uniformity of the obtained particles. Moreover, two new alternative synthetic strategies to adopt the smart heating profile are presented, in order to give some possible solutions for the expensive microwave equipment.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Organic synthesis (ORSY)
Impact Factor: 6.216
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2011.09.116
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“The benefit of glass bead supports for efficient gas phase photocatalysis : case study of a commercial and a synthesised photocatalyst”. Verbruggen SW, Ribbens S, Tytgat T, Hauchecorne B, Smits M, Meynen V, Cool P, Martens JA, Lenaerts S, Chemical engineering journal 174, 318 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2011.09.038
Abstract: In the field of photocatalytic air purification, the immobilisation of catalyst particles on support surfaces without loss of photon efficiency is an important challenge. Therefore, an immobilisation method involving a one-step suspension coating of pre-synthesised photocatalysts on glass beads was applied. The various benefits are exemplified in the gas phase photodegradation of ethylene. Coating of glass beads is easy, fast, cheap and offers a more efficient alternative to bulk catalyst pellets. Furthermore, this coating procedure allows to use porous, pre-synthesised catalysts to their full potential, as the surface area and morphology of the initial powder is barely altered after coating, in strong contrast to pelletising. With this technique it became possible to study the gas phase photocatalytic activity of commercial titanium dioxide, trititanate nanotubes and mixed phase anatase/trititanate nanotubes in a packed bed reactor towards the degradation of ethylene without changing the catalyst properties. Coating of glass beads with the photocatalyst revealed the superior activity of the as-prepared nanotubes, compared to TiO2 Aerolyst® 7710 in gaseous phase.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.216
Times cited: 39
DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2011.09.038
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