Synergistic Photothermal Effect: Performance Evaluation and System Design Scheme for Low-Concentrati

The efficient abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a cross-disciplinary focus spanning environmental science and energy conversion, with the core challenge being the development of catalytic systems featuring high stability and deep mineralization capability. Compared with conventional high-temperature thermal combustion or single-mode photodegradation, photothermal synergistic technology leverages the complementary characteristics of strongly oxidative radicals generated by photon excitation and thermal energy that lowers reaction energy barriers, enabling the complete elimination of VOC molecules under relatively mild conditions.

In a standardized VOC catalytic degradation experimental report, the primary step is to simulate the stable supply of feed gas under realistic operating conditions. Since VOCs typically exist at low concentrations in air, traditional static gas-mixing methods struggle to meet the accuracy requirements of dynamic flow systems. The PLD-DGCS05 multi-component dynamic gas mixing system adopts a mass flow-based mixing strategy, supporting the mixing and dilution of up to eight gas streams to continuously prepare low-concentration target gas mixtures that meet experimental demands. This system offers both simple and time-sequenced control modes, enabling simulation of concentration fluctuations in exhaust emissions. Combined with outlet pressure monitoring, it provides a stable material foundation for subsequent gas–solid reaction systems.

The core of the experimental report lies in the evaluation of charge carrier dynamics and surface reaction efficiency within the photothermal synergistic reactor. To overcome the limitation of restricted illuminated area in conventional flat-plate reactors, the PLR-RP series photothermal catalytic reaction evaluation system introduces an innovative quartz light-column guiding technology that directs the light source straight to the reactor core, greatly reducing energy losses during optical transmission. Its distinctive annular-illumination reactor design surrounds the catalyst layer around a central light source, increasing the effective illuminated area from the conventional 0.3 cm² to approximately 20 cm². This not only enhances photon utilization efficiency but also significantly improves mass transfer efficiency at the gas–solid interface. Such structural advantages enable researchers to obtain physical data closer to intrinsic catalytic activity, providing reliable references for scale-up validation of process conditions.

From a process control perspective, real-time monitoring of experimental safety and thermal balance is equally indispensable. Modern evaluation systems typically integrate a four-level temperature management architecture, encompassing gas preheating, pipeline heat tracing, and condensation separation modules. This ensures that the VOC gas mixture reaches the preset reaction temperature before entering the catalyst bed and prevents re-adsorption of liquid-phase products within the piping. Through a two-stage alarm mechanism, the system dynamically monitors temperature and pressure; in the event of abnormal conditions such as pressure exceedance, it automatically executes interlocked protection measures and stops feed supply, thereby ensuring the safety of long-duration experiments.

In summary, a high-quality experimental report not only focuses on conversion metrics such as the transformation of VOCs into CO₂ and H₂O, but also relies on end-to-end engineering support ranging from high-precision gas mixing to multi-field synergistic reactors. By integrating dynamic gas mixing technology with annular-illumination reaction platforms, researchers can deeply elucidate photothermal synergistic mechanisms and facilitate the smooth transition of VOCs abatement technologies from laboratory-scale mechanistic studies to large-scale engineering applications.