Method and apparatus for use in photochemically oxidizing gaseous

Abstract

An apparatus for photochemically oxidizing gaseous volatile or semi-volatile organic compounds includes: a) a reactor vessel having a plurality of reaction chambers provided therein, the reaction chambers having respective chamber lining sidewalls; b) a source of ultraviolet light provided within and along the reaction chambers to oxidize gaseous volatile or semi-volatile organic compounds fed to the reaction chambers into gaseous oxidation products; c) the sidewalls of the reaction chambers comprising a dry porous cementitious and chemically sorbent material, the sorbent material being chemically reactive with the gaseous oxidation products to produce solid reaction products incorporated in the reaction chamber sidewalls; and e) the sidewalls of the reaction chambers comprising a series of baffles mounted relative to the reactor vessel, the baffles defining a serpentine gas flow path within the reactor vessel between a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A removable reaction chamber baffle liner for such an apparatus comprises: i) a peripheral support frame sized and shaped for sliding receipt within the photochemical oxidation reactor vessel; and ii) a hardened mass of dry porous cementitious and chemically sorbent material received within and physically supported by the peripheral frame. A method of photochemically oxidizing gaseous volatile or semi-volatile organic compounds is also disclosed.