Destruction process

• US 5,308,458 A
• Filed: 01/27/1992
• Issued: 05/03/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Venator Group Services Ltd. (Venator Materials Plc)
• Original Assignee: Venator Group Services Ltd. (Venator Materials Plc)
• Inventors: Wallis, Craig, Urwin, Donald, Howarth, Colin, Sayer, Andrew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Niebling, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELACROIX MUIRHEI, CYBILLE
• Application Number:
  US07/826,466
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 204/157.4, 204/157.45, 204/157.46, 204/157.47, 204/157.48, 204/157.49, 204/157.50, 204/157.52, 204/157.6, 204/158.20.158.21, 588/205, 588/210, 588/227, 588/248
• US Class Current: 204/157.6
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2101/22 containing halogen
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2101/26 containing nitrogen or phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2101/28 containing oxygen, sulfur, selenium or tellurium, i.e. chalcogen
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 3/176 Ultraviolet radiations, i.e. radiation having a wavelength of about 3nm to 400nm
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/123 Ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/1887 forming a thin film

Abstract

A process for the decomposition of photocatically degradable organic material includes exposing the organic material to ultraviolet light as the material is passing across the surface of a spinning disc. The surface of the disc carries anatase titanium dioxide adhering to the disc. The anatase titanium dioxide acts as a catalyst in the degradation process and preferably has a high surface area.

Organic materials such as hydrocarbons alcohols, acids, esters and others are destroyed by this environmentally acceptable process.

Claims

1. A process for the oxidative decomposition of photocatalytically degradable organic material comprising exposing said organic material in fluid form to ultraviolet light and passing said organic material across a surface of a plate-like member which carries anatase titanium dioxide adhering to said surface, said member rotating about a central axis perpendicular to the radial plane of said member thereby accelerating said organic material radially outward of said axis across said surface of said member creating a high degree of turbulence and a mass transfer of atmospheric oxygen across the liquid/gas phase interface on said surface.

2. A process according to claim 1 in which the anatase titanium dioxide has a surface area of from 20 to 200 m² /gm.

3. A process according to claim 1 in which the anatase titanium dioxide has a particle size of from 0.001 to 1.0 micron.

4. A process according to claim 1 in which the ultraviolet light is that emitted by a low pressure lamp.

5. A process according to claim 1 in which the ultraviolet light has a wavelength of up to 400 nanometers.

6. A process according to claim 1 in which the plate-like member has the form of a disc having a diameter of from 25 cm to 5 meters.

7. A process according to claim 1 in which the plate-like member has a thickness of from 0.05 mm to 50 mm.

8. A process according to claim 1 in which the plate-like member is rotated at a speed of from 50 rpm to 10,000 rpm.

9. A process according to claim 8 in which the plate-like member is rotated at a speed of from 100 rpm to 5,000 rpm.

10. A process according to claim 1 in which the said organic material is a dispersion or a solution in water.

11. A process according to claim 10 in which the water dispersion or solution is acidic.

12. A process according to claim 11 in which the water dispersion or solution has a pH of less than 4.

13. A process according to claim 1 in which the said organic material is a hydrocarbon, an alcohol, an acid, an ester, a ketone, an amine or a halogen substituted compound.