PLR-CTPR Flow Phase Photocatalytic Reaction System

The PLR-CTPR flow phase photocatalytic reaction system introduces innovative ultrasonic atomization technology, significantly enhancing mass transfer efficiency during reactions. Taking the photocatalytic methane oxidation reaction as an example, the feed gases CH₄ and O₂ are mixed at a certain flow rate and then passed through the atomization chamber, where the water mist is swept into the reactor for the reaction. After passing through the catalyst bed, the mixture enters a gas-liquid separator. Oxygen-containing products and water condense and exit in liquid form, while the gas products and unreacted gases are injected for detection through a gas chromatography injection valve.

The core innovation of the device lies in the use of atomization technology, which significantly enhances the contact area between liquid water and reactants, making the device theoretically suitable for all gas-solid phase reactions involving water. This is applicable not only to the photocatalytic oxidation of methane but also to various flow phase reactions such as photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide and photocatalytic oxidation of nitrogen oxides, demonstrating a certain level of universality.

Device Overview

The project product consists of a control unit, gas path unit, atomization unit, reaction unit, condenser, and gas-liquid separator, among other components. The control unit primarily manages the MFC (mass flow controller) flow rates and the atomizer mist output, with adjustable mist volume. All operations are conducted via a capacitive touchscreen, which can rotate flexibly for easy operation. A built-in methane sensor provides timely alerts and cuts off the gas supply in case of a leak, ensuring safety. The gas circuit unit controls the flow rates and volumes of three gases (CH₄, O₂, Ar). The atomization unit employs multi-head ultrasonic atomization to ensure sufficiently small droplet size and large mist volume. The atomization chamber is equipped with a refill port for adding water via a syringe, and the atomizer head is a consumable part. In the reaction unit, the reactor features a split structure, where the catalyst membrane layer (with a quartz fiber filter membrane as the carrier) is tightly clamped between the upper and lower chambers to ensure that gas and water mist pass completely through the catalyst bed. The gas-liquid separator is used for product separation and collection.

Application Scenarios

This device increases the contact area of liquid water through atomization, inducing interfacial reactions, and is theoretically applicable to all gas-solid reactions / flow phase reactions involving water, demonstrating certain universality.

Photocatalytic methane oxidation reaction

Photocatalytic CO₂ reaction

Photocatalytic nitrogen oxides oxidation reaction

Device Functional Features

• It employs ultrasonic atomization to transform liquid into small droplets, increasing the three-phase contact interface, enhancing the likelihood of contact between the liquid and solid catalyst, and improving mass transfer efficiency;

• The outer layer of the atomization chamber has a water-cooling temperature control layer, which can reduce the temperature rise of water due to ultrasound, avoiding water vaporization;

• The small droplets formed after atomization reach the catalyst surface simultaneously with the airflow to facilitate three-phase interfacial reactions;

• The reactor adopts a penetrating reaction mode, ensuring sufficient contact between gas, mist, and catalyst to improve mass transfer efficiency.

Performance Index Parameters