Author(s)

A.P. Boyes, S. Raymahasay, A.T. Sulidis & J.M. Winterbottom

Abstract

The heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous organic pollutants to innocuous products (i.e. CO], t^O) has been studied in a novel pilot scale photocatalytic reactor. Phenol was used as a representative organic pollutant and TiO] %s a photocatalyst in aqueous dispersions under UV irradiation. Complete degradation of phenol (100 %) was achieved in about 190 min of irradiation for an initial organic substrate loading of 100 mg/drrP and 18 drrP solution. The reaction was strongly pH dependent with pH 2.5-3.0 producing the maximum reaction rates. Results also indicated that complete mineralization of substrate and intermediates could not be accomplished without

Keywords