Performance of metal catalysts to decompose aqueous phenol was experimentally investigated. Comparison
of the phenol decomposition rates within three-phase fluidized-bed reactors utilizing only O3, TiO2
deposited on silica beads, metal catalyst (Ni or Co) impregnated on mesoporous carbon beads, or O3 in
combination with each catalyst was thoroughly examined. It was found that the use of Co catalyst with
the presence of O3 led to the best removal condition which aqueous phenol was completely decomposed
within 10 min (k = 0.1944 min−1). In contrast, the use of TiO2 without O3 resulted in the worst decomposition
of phenol (k = 0.0066 min−1). Some intermediate products, such as hydroquinone and catechol,
were also detected but their final concentrations were negligibly low.