The energy efficiency of the photocatalytic conversion of gas-phase organic pollutants was studied using a redesigned and scaled-up photo-CREC-air reactor. This photocatalytic unit has the unique feature of allowing an accurate analysis of the irradiation field by establishing macroscopic balances and in situ measurements. The photo-CREC-air reactor operates in batch mode with the photocatalyst supported by a stainless steel mesh being irradiated by eight UV lamps. Kinetic modeling was performed, and quantum yields (QYs) and photochemical thermodynamic efficiency factors (PTEFs) were calculated using data for acetone and acetaldehyde photocatalytic degradation in ambient air utilizing a Degussa P25 (Aeroxide 25) photocatalyst. It was found that the photo-CREC-air reactor is suitable for the determination of kinetic and adsorption parameters, given a design with excellent irradiation usage and fluid−catalyst contact. In this respect, quantum yields for both acetone and acetaldehyde exceed the value of 1 (equivalent to 100%), with PTEFs in both cases remaining below the level of 1, as required by thermodynamics.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract