Breakthrough in Chemicals and Chemistry: New Catalytic-Based Treatment System for Ethanol Removal

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin have designed a Pt/TiO2-ZrO2 catalytic-based treatment system to remove ethanol and oxygen from a gaseous feed stream. The ultimate goal is to convert ethanol and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water, with the target application being the commercial beer brewing industry. Funders for this research include Gusmer Enterprises, Inc and Microporous Oxides Science & Technology, LLC. The system was tested on a bench scale, and results showed that ethanol was completely converted to CO2 under low flow rate conditions. A pilot-scale reactor was also constructed and installed in a commercial brewing facility, reducing ethanol concentrations by 99.9% over a six-day demonstration period without generating unacceptable levels of byproducts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research aimed to design a Pt/TiO2-ZrO2 catalytic-based treatment system to remove ethanol and oxygen from a gaseous feed stream.
  • Bench-scale reactions were performed at 250°C and 300°C, and the effect of oxygen concentration was studied.
  • Ethanol was completely converted to CO2 under low flow rate conditions, and the reactions proceeded through volatile and non-volatile reaction intermediates.
  • Results from the bench-scale tests were used to make predictions for designing a pilot-scale catalytic reactor under conditions of high and low oxygen concentration.
  • A pilot-scale reactor was constructed and installed in a commercial brewing facility, and results showed a 99.9% reduction in ethanol concentrations over a six-day demonstration period.
  • The research concluded that the pilot-scale system reduced ethanol concentrations without generating unacceptable levels of byproducts.
  • The study was funded by Gusmer Enterprises, Inc and Microporous Oxides Science & Technology, LLC.

Statistics:

  • 99.9% reduction in ethanol concentrations over a six-day demonstration period.
  • 250°C and 300°C: the temperatures at which bench-scale reactions were performed.
  • 6 days: the duration of the demonstration period for the pilot-scale reactor.
  • 100%: the rate at which ethanol was converted to CO2 under low flow rate conditions.

Sources:

  • "Catalytic Oxidation of Ethanol for Treatment of Commercially Produced Carbon Dioxide Using Aqueous Sol-gel-derived Catalyst Materials." Catalysts 2025; 15(9):813.
  • NewsRx. New Chemicals and Chemistry Findings from University of Wisconsin Outlined (Catalytic Oxidation of Ethanol for Treatment of Commercially Produced Carbon Dioxide Using Aqueous Sol-gel-derived Catalyst Materials). Journal of Technology & Science. October 26, 2025; p 1795.