Regularities of decomposition of organic vapors using a photocatalytic air cleaner

The kinetics of oxidation of vapors of model air contaminators, viz., acetone, ethanol, and heptane, was studied using a photocatalytic air cleaner. The composition of the oxidation products was determined, and the rates of oxidation of the starting substances were measured. The deep oxidation of the starting substrates to CO₂ and H₂O occurs until their concentration achieves a limiting value. At higher concentrations a "breakthrough" of the starting substrate is observed. Ethanol is oxidized with the formation of intermediate products. The experimental data obtained were approximated by a kinetic model, which includes stages of formation of intermediates and their competitive adsorption. The results of the approximation agree well with the experimental data.