Adsorption und Oxidation using Fe-Zeolites

Zeolites are very suitable as support for oxidation catalysts since they are highly porous and themselves resistant to oxidation (different to e.g. activated carbon). Iron can be incorporated by ion exchange and can function as efficient catalyst for activation of hydrogen peroxide over a wide range of pH. Zeolites with optimal lattice type and Si/Al ratio are in addition excellent adsorbents for small organic molecules. Thus oxidation of contaminants can be ideally combined with their previous adsorptive enrichment for more efficient oxidant utilization.

Our work is focused on optimization of Fe-zeolites for water treatment in both, fixed bed reactors and in-situ groundwater remediation (Trap-Ox® Fe-zeolites).

Fixed bed reactors with Fe-zeolites offer an interesting alternative to common activated carbon adsorbers which usually are regenerated by thermal treatment off-site in special facilities. In contrast, Fe-zeolites offer comparable or even better adsorption properties for small organic molecules (e.g. typical groundwater contaminants like dichloromethane or MTBE) and at the same time they can be regenerated on-site by flushing with hydrogen peroxide solution.

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