Method and apparatus for removing undesirable chemical substances from gases, exhaust gases, vapors, and brines

An apparatus for purifying fluid substances by photocatalytic reaction occurring on a catalyst surface, said apparatus comprising:

• a closed housing formed of a corrosion-resistant material and having inlet and outlet nozzles for a purifiable substance;
• a catalyst carrier supported in said housing and having a large surface area, the carrier being highly resistant to chemical corrosion and shortwave light and having a mechanical stability needed for mobile mechanical parts;
• a first catalyst, applied to said catalyst carrier and consisting of a least one of oxide, mioxide or a combination thereof with semiconductor behaviors, mixed, loaded or both, with at least one metal of the platinum series of the VIII group of the periodic table of chemical elements;
• a second catalyst, applied to said catalyst carrier, consisting of at least one element of the lanthanides, actinides and the IIIb group of the periodic table of chemical elements;
• a frame for supporting said catalyst carrier in said housing;
• at least one source of shortwave light of wavelengths from 250 to 400 nm, as a photon source;
• at least one washing zone provided in said housing for said catalyst carrier and including a cavity for receiving a catalyst carrier washing liquid and provided with inlet and outlet nozzles for the washing liquid;
• and
• means for moving said catalyst carrier through said at least one washing zone.