An adsorption–photocatalysis hybrid process using multi-functional-nanoporous materials for wastewater reclamation

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 44; no. 18; pp. 5385 - 5397
• Main Authors: Vimonses, Vipasiri, Jin, Bo, Chow, Christopher W.K., Saint, Christopher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Adsorption–photocatalysis hybrid treatment process; Applied sciences; Bioreactors; Catalysis; Chromatography, Gel; Clay adsorbent; Crack opening displacement; Degradation; Dissolution; Effluents; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kaolin - chemistry; Light; Nanopores; Organic Chemicals - isolation & purification; Other industrial wastes. Sewage sludge; Oxygen - analysis; Pollution; Reclamation; Recycling; Solubility; TiO 2; Titanium - chemistry; Titanium dioxide; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Waste water; Wastes; Wastewater reclamation; Wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; Water treatment and pollution; Degradation; Wastewater reclamation; Adsorption–photocatalysis hybrid treatment process; Clay adsorbent; TiO 2; Adsorption-photocatalysis hybrid; Nanoporous materials; Synergism; Waste water; Biological purification; treatment process; Membrane reactor; Pollution; Decontamination; Tertiary purification; Urban waste water; TiO; Photochemical degradation; Fluidized bed reactor; Pollutant behavior; Photocatalysis; Inorganic ion; Photochemical reactor; Gel permeation chromatography; Suspended particle; Bioreactor; Adsorption; Waste water purification; Titanium oxide; Flue gas purification; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.06.033

In this study, two of our recently developed laboratory scale wastewater treatment systems, fluidised-bed reactor (FBR) using formulated clay mixture absorbents (clay-FBR adsorption) and an annular slurry photoreactor (ASP) using TiO 2 impregnated kaolin catalysts (TiO 2-K-ASP) were integrated as an adsorption–photocatalysis hybrid process to treat municipal wastewater as alternative secondary and tertiary treatment for wastewater reclamation. Primary effluent from sewage and secondary effluent from a membrane bioreactor treatment process were used to assess chemical removal capabilities of the FBR and ASP systems, and the hybrid process. The formulated clays-FBR system demonstrated the prevailing removal efficiency toward PO 4 3−, NO 3 − and suspended solids. The TiO 2-K-ASP showed superior degradation of dissolved organic content; while the presence of inorganic ions caused a detrimental effect on its performance. The integration of the adsorption and degradation system as a hybrid treatment process resulted in a synergetic enhancement for the chemical removal efficiency. Complete elimination of PO 4 3− content was obtained in the adsorption stage; while 30% and 65% NO 3 − removal were obtained from the hybrid treatment of the primary and secondary effluents, respectively. The corresponding COD reduction during the photodegradation was further investigated by the high-performance size exclusion chromatography technique, where it revealed the shift of apparent molecular weight of the dissolved organic contaminants toward the smaller region. This present study demonstrated that this adsorption–photocatalysis hybrid technology can be used as a feasible alternative treatment process for wastewater reclamation.