Pt-zeolite catalysts for low temperature oxidation of hydrocarbons

The focus of this work was to develop a catalyst for complete oxidation of ethene at temperatures less that 100{degrees}C. An application is removal of ethene from fruit storage areas. A wide range of possible catalysts were surveyed using a mini-reactor coupled to a mass spectrometer and a total hydrocarbon detector. All the oxide materials tested reacted at greater than 300{degrees}C. The most promising catalysts were Pt containing zeolites, with complete reaction occurring below 100{degrees}C and 50% conversion at less than 80{degrees}C. Catalyst lifetimes and reactivity with other hydrocarbons were also studied.