Combustion of isopropyl alcohol using a green manufactured CuFe2O4.

A green method for manufacturing CuFe(2)O(4) from industrial Cu sludge was successfully developed by a combination of acid leaching, chemical exchange and ferrite process. The CuFe(2)O(4) was applied for combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The results show that IPA was reacted to form intermediate acetone and CO(2) at the temperature range of 110-170°C. When the temperature was increased to 180°C, IPA can be 100% converted into CO(2). The 96-h decay tests indicated that the catalyst has a good thermal stability and durability under the conditions of gas hourly space velocity 30,000 h(-1), oxygen content 21%, IPA inlet concentration 2000 ppm, and reaction temperature 180°C. The results demonstrate great potential that our manufactured CuFe(2)O(4) catalyst can be used in combustion IPA streams to eliminate the emission of IPA.