Colorant degradation of waste waters by using UV/TiO2/H2O2/Fe

Abstract

This project evaluates the possibility of using Advanced Oxidation Processes such as Heterogeneous Photocatalysis (TiO2/H2O2/UV) and Homogeneous Photocatalysis (FeSO4/H2O2/UV), for the treatment of waste water that comes from the production processes of isotonic beverages. The process tests were done at laboratory scale in a composed cylindrical parabolic Photo-reactor (CPC).

With the purpose of testing the compound mineralization, common and advanced techniques such as COD, TOC, and BOD were used for the following part of the process, and for heat reduction analysis the spectrophotometric techniques were used, the pH effects, catalyst concentration, and the hydrogen peroxide concentration were examined by means of a design of surface response experiments.

Optimum parameters were obtained for the discoloring percentage in heterogeneous photocatalysis, pH 3, catalyst concentration (TiO2) was 0.286 g/L, and the peroxide concentration was of 1,204 g/L with a discoloration percentage of 97,88%. The homogeneous photocatalysis was done with a constant pH 3, catalyst concentration (Fe) was 0.03 g/L, and hydrogen peroxide concentration was 3g/L for a color reduction percentage of 99.65%.both in a re-circulation time of two hours at an average temperature of 25ºC.