MONACAT · Monolithic reactors structured at the nano and micro levels for catalytic water purification

This project aims at the preparation and testing of catalyst supported on structured reactors (ceramic and metallic honeycomb monoliths, metallic filters, carbon cloth) coated with nanocarbon materials (NCM), namely carbon nanofibers (CNF) and carbon nanotubes (CNT). This structured catalytic reactor will be used for catalytic water purification. Every partner responsible for testing the monoliths will focus on a different pollutant (Nitrates, organic matter…) and catalytic process (hydrogenation, oxidation) depending on the particular expertise of every partner. The properties of monolithic reactor coated with NCM, e.g. thin catalyst layer and mesoporosity, enable the control of the diffusion path and enhance the diffusion of reactant to catalytic sites. The objective is to achieve, via the use of monoliths coated with NCM, an intensification of the catalytic process in terms of improved selectivity, robustness, stability and performance while reducing energy requirements and by-product generation with respect to the catalytic process using conventional reactors, as e.g. trickled bed or slurry