Influence of current density and inlet gas flow in the treatment of gaseous streams polluted with benzene by electro-absorption

• Efficient mineralization of the VOCs contained in air using electro-scrubbing technology. Benzoquinone and carboxylic acids are formed absorbent but not found outlet stream. Percentage benzene gaseous removal increases by increasing operation current density. Mass transport control electrochemical degradation into absorbent/electrolyte. This paper is focused on evaluation electrochemically assisted absorption process (electro-absorption) as a treatment for volatile organic compounds polluted flows. Benzene was used to test technology, system consisting packed column single compartment cell equipped with boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode steel-steal cathode. The influence inlet gas flow rate intensity evaluated monitoring concentration intermediates both, liquid / electrolyte Results show that steady-state values reached, during electro-absorption, increase when rises from 1.5 6.0 L h ?1 bare retains only up this value then, it has no effect benzene. Concentrations absorbent/electrolyte decreases density processes. As well, be very important, expected because low concentrations high efficiencies electrolytic BDD electrodes, benzoquinone were identified primary intermediates. These species detected flow. decrease mass streams confirms electro-absorption functional application remove streams. When (10, 50 100 mA cm ?2 ), percentage increases. obtained 43, 61 75% 1,5 10, 25 37 % 6 . However, relative energy consumption rises. were, correspondingly, 24.7, 4.2 2.2 kWh 7.1, 2.1 1.4 efficiency trend explained becomes bottleneck oxidation diluted solutions. results contribute expand understanding mechanisms involved recommend further research topic, due relevance results.