Synthesis of novel WO3/ZrSiO4 catalysts for dehalogenation of halogenated hydrocarbons

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a novel catalyst based on WO3/ZrSiO4 system for halogenated hydrocarbons processing. The production method of this catalyst involved extrusion and as such was simplified compared to thermo-chemical synthesis routes. It had a reduced number of process stages and a lower environmental impact at the same time. In order to examine the phase composition of the catalyst after sintering at 800 °C, the XRD analysis was carried out. The catalyst was then tested in chlorodifluoromethane dehalogenation process on laboratory scale at temperatures of 300, 400 and 500 °C in the presence of water vapor. Catalyst achieves high dehalogenation efficiencies of 88.6, 95.9, and 99.5 % for each of the process temperatures, respectively. Obtained results are in the range with those achieved by using thermo-chemically prepared dehalogenation catalysts.