Abatement of Volatile Organic Compounds Emission as a Target for Various Human Activities Including Energy Production

In this review, the issue of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission is discussed in detail. Various sources of VOCs release, especially related to stationary and mobile fuel combustion, are presented. Successive changes in the distribution of fuels toward a utilization of growing amounts of biocomponents are underscored. The impact of different kinds of VOCs emitted to the atmosphere on the environment and human health is discussed within the context of tightening regulations. Main remediation methods developed for the elimination of VOCs are shown with a special emphasis on the catalytic total oxidation. We present advantages of this approach in comparison to the thermal oxidation performed at significantly higher temperatures in the absence of a catalyst. The most important features of catalysts studied in the VOCs combustion, as well as the speculated reaction mechanisms, are elaborated. The catalytic performance and stability of noble metal containing materials are compared critically to transition metal oxides. Finally, combining adsorption with subsequent catalytic conversion is revealed as a very promising way to abate amounts of emitted VOCs.