Novel Regenerable Catalytic Filter for Removal of Airborne and/or Waterborne VOCs and Particulates

The ever-growing concern over air quality has led to considerable legislation to control atmospheric concentrations of ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, much work remains before an acceptable measure ofindoor air quality is adopted. This is due in part to the lack of universal standards for indoor air quality. Over the past three decades, the low temperature catalytic oxidation of VOCs has been improved considerably as part of efforts by thetransportation and energy production industries to control emissions produced by combustion of fossil fuels. However, no existing catalyst technology is known to exhibit a sufficiently high catalytic activity in the critical 0-200 degrees C temperaturerange to accomplish the emission reduction goals of these or other industries. In Phase I, Ultramet demonstrated the feasibility of a catalytic filtration element comprising low-cost reticulated vitreous carbon or silicon carbide open-cell foam catalystsupports coated with a metal catalyst/mixed metal oxide solid electrolyte, and operating based on the principle of non-Faradaic electrochemical modification of catalytic activity (NEMCA). In laboratory-scale testing, these filter elements exhibited highcatalytic activity near room temperature and under high face velocity conditions. In bench-scale testing, these filter elements exhibited long life and compatibility with current heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. In Phase II, Ultrametwill scale up and optimize the fabrication of catalytic filtration system, optimize the catalytic efficiency of the system with respect to the selected contaminant(s), and validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the system in pilot-scale applications.This technology offers a significant advance in the state-of-the-art of catalytic control of air- and water-borne contaminants.