Algerian Journal of Engineering Research
Volume 1, Numéro 2, Pages 01-04
2017-12-01

Implementation Of A Photocatalytic / Adsorption Hybrid Reactor: Application To The Elimination Of Recalcitrant Pollutants

Authors : Meriem Mahmoudi . Omar Bouras . Ali Aouabed .

Abstract

This research proposal will be part of the implementation of a new hybrid process based on the coupling of both photodegradation and adsorption of Green Malachite (GM) and/or Red Congo (RC); two emerging and priority pollutants considered as recalcitrant and likely to pollute surface waters and /or groundwater. The method consisted in irradiating a more or less uniform film based on titanium dioxide spread on the surface of a lamellar glass reactor by ultraviolet radiations in order to eliminate the two used targeted micro pollutants by both photodegradation and/or adsorption. The lamellar reactor designed and constructed was a borosilicate glass device constituted by a dark chamber in which the UV rays are emitted by a UV lamp of type A (T5-8W). The system power was supplied by a crushing peristaltic pump and operating at a flow rate of 5mL.min-1. The deposition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the reactor surface was carried out by the sol-gel method (Deep-Coating). The photodegradation of the molecule GM or RC was monitored by analyses of the samples taken every 30 minutes for a residence time of up to 800 min. During the whole operation, the pH and maximum absorption wavelength ʎmax were monitored. Quantification of the GM and / or RC solutes is carried out using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer (6800 UV / VIS Jenway) at appropriate wavelengths (618nm for VM and 500nm for RC). The photocatalytic deposition characterization was carried out using X-ray Diffraction (DRX) and spectroscopic (Fourier Transform Infrared (IFTR))methods. The approach adopted in this continuous process was to be able to remove organic compounds without deteriorating the photocatalytic support which must remain adhered to the reactor surface.

Keywords

Photodegradation; Adsorption; Titanium Dioxide; Lamellar reactor.