RECENT ADVANCES

IN PHOTOCATALYTIC
REACTORS

Guided by: Submitted by:

Dr. PRG Madhura N. Chincholi
 INTRODUCTION
• Background
• Photocatalysis?
• Catalysts
• Light sources
• Reactors
• Applications

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 LITERATURE REVIEW
• Organics and microorganisms
• Dyes
• Drugs
• Toxic components

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 ORGANICS &
MICROORGANISMS
•Sraw et al. (2013) degraded monocrotophos
(MCP), an organophosphorous insecticide
•Catalysts- Aeroxide P-25 and LR grade TiO2
•UV (8 blue black UV florescent lamps (Philips,
20W)) and sunlight
•Ambient T & P, t = 3 h
•84% degradation
• Degradation rate
increased by 15 % by
H2O2 addition with
LR TiO2
Fig. 1. Skurry batch photocatalytic reactor setup
(Sraw et al. 2013)
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• Grcic et al.(2015)
• Household greywater (GW)
• Solar photocatalysis
• Followed by flocculation by chitosan
• TiO2-coated textile fibers by applying TiO2–
chitosan pasteous dispersion on polyester/wool
blend textile
• The reactor assembled mostly from waste
materials
• Results showed significant decrease in organic
content (50.8%), COD and toxicity over a period
of 4 h.

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 • Complete degradation of dye molecules and certain aromatic
compounds.
•The chitosan dissolved at certain extent during photocatalytic treatment
•An efficient flocculant in treated wastewater.
• Flocs observed shortly after treatment, complete sedimentation 12 h in
dark.

Fig.2 Schematics of reactor for solar photocatalysis (a) front view, (b) top view (c) side
view. (Grcic et al. 2015)
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• Carra et al. (2015)
• Acetamiprid (ACTM), thiabendazole (TBZ)
and their transformation products (TPs) in an
agro-food industry effluent
• Solar photo-Fenton treatment.
• Novel

Fig. 3 Scheme of the raceway pond reactor (RPR) used in the

experiments. (Carra et al. 2015)

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• Avg. UV irradiance of 15 ± 1Wm-2 (winter
conditions) measured by a global UV radiometer
• Avg. wastewater T: 26 ± 2 °C.
• High degradation achieved (>99% TBZ and
91% ACTM in 240 min).
• Analyses indicated that after the treatment only
three TPs from ACTM were still present in the
effluent, while the others had been removed.

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• García-Fernández et al. (2015)
• Disinfection of urban effluents using solar TiO2
photocatalysis
• E. coli and F.solani spores
• Compound parabolic collectors (CPC) reactor
• Two CPC mirror
titled at 37◦
• T= 45 °C
• Qair= 60 L/h
• TiO2= 100 mg/L
• ~99.9
Fig.4 The 60 L-CPC reactor . Front view (4.5
m2of collector mirrors) with air injection points
indicated (a), side view: air injection and DO
probe (b), and cooling and heating systems
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 DYES
• Esparza et al. (2011)
• Methylene blue (MB)
• Natural volcanic ashes (VA) particles and
nanostructured titania supported on volcanic
ashes (TVA)
• High-pressure Na vapour lamp (Philips, model
400-W G/92/2) placed 50 cm far from thereactor
• Fixed-bed photocatalytic reactor. (designed and
built in the lab)

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• Easy and efficient method to carry out
photocatalytic reactions without requiring water
filtration post-processing
• Conversions in case of TVA, independent of the
flow rate were about 90.3% for 3 h reaction time
• 96.4%.

Fig. 5. Schematic view of experimental setup (Esparza et al. 2011)

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• Lin et al. (2012)
• Methyl orange(MO)
• A novel multi-layer rotating disk reactor(600 rpm)
• Four stacked cells
• Eight UV-light lamps (4 W each) and an Al disk
(dia. 12 cm)
• TiO2 nano-particles coated
• Inlet 4×10−5 M MO
• At 5 ml/min conversion >95%
• High conversion at high
flow rate
Fig.6. Schematic diagram of the
MLRDR system (Lin et al. 2012)
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• Byberg & Cobb (2012)
• Direct Red 23, 80, and 81, Direct Yellow 27 and
50, and Direct Violet 51
• 25 mg/L
• Paper embedded TiO2
• Equalized for 30 min, run for 24 h
• Complete color removal
• 80% TOC reduction, toxicity increased

Fig. 7. Photo and sketch of reactor used at ENSIC. (Byberg & Cobb 2012)
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• Pastrana-Martínez et al. (2013)
• TiO2 catalysts: large titania sol–gel nanoparticles
(ECT), surface modified titania nanoparticles (m-
TiO2) and graphene oxide-TiO2 composite
(GOT-3.3)
• Under near-UV/Vis and visible light.
• Methyl orange (MO)
• Quartz cylindrical reactor(7.5 mL solution)
• A Heraeus TQ 150 medium pressure Hg vapor
lamp (visible light a cut-off long pass filter)
• pH 4.4, catalyst loading 0.5 mg/L
• Composite (GOT-3.3) quite active, (m-TiO2)
visible light
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• Rasoulifard et al. (2014)
• Direct Red 23 (DR23)
• UV-LED/S2O82-
• Continuous photoreactor (octagonal cylindrical )
• 72 UV-LEDs (1 W each)
• S2O82- (12.5 mM), dye conc. (20 ppm), current
intensity (80%)

Fig. 8 Schematic representation of continuous photoreactor

(3.6 W)( Rasoulifard et al. 2014)

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• Li et al. (2014)

• Rhodamine B (RhB)

• Novel double-cylindrical-shell (DCS) photoreactor

• Monolyer TiO2-coated silica gel beads

• An UV black light lamp (Tokyo Metal BM-10BLB)

• t= 12h, RhB= 10 mg/L

• 49.6% and 90.4% in dark and in UV, resp.

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• Higher efficiency, lower energy consumption and
better repetitive operation performance
• Promising alternative for recalcitrant
decomposition

Fig. 9. Schematic of the TiO2-coated silica gel beads immobilized double-cylindrical-

shell (DCS) photoreactor and the photocatalytic system.( Li et al. 2014)

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 DRUGS
• Wang et al. (2012)
• 17-ethinylestradiol(EE2)
• Modified flat plate serpentine reactor (MFPSR)
• TiO2
• Three lamps (Philips TUV8W)
• t= 120 min, TiO2 =0.04 g/L, u= 0.03 m/s,
• 98 %

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Fig.10. Geometry of MFPSR and flow sheet of the experimental setup (Wang et al. (2012)
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• Pastrana-Martínez et al. (2013)
• Diphenhydramine (DP)
• ECT, m-TiO2 and GOT-3.3
• Quartz cylindrical reactor
• Heraeus TQ 150 medium pressure Hg vapor
lamp
• T= 25 °C, pH 5.9, 1 g/L catalyst
• Under near-UV/Vis irradiation, ECT most active
for the degradation of DP.

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• Rodríguez et al. (2013)
• Atenolol (ATL), hydrochlorothiazide (HCT),
ofloxacin (OFX) and trimethoprim (TMP)
• Photocatalytic oxidation, ozonation and
photocatalytic ozonation
• Borosilicate cylindrical reactor
• A porous plate for gas
• Black wooden box (50x30x30 cm)
• Two 15 W black light lamps
• TiO2 ,pH 4, t= 2 h
• TPC and TOC removal of 80% and 60%

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 TOXIC
• Abhang et al. (2011)
• Phenol
• Three phase fluidized bed type of reactor (TPFBR)
• TiO2 coated on solid silica gel particles
• Four lamps of 8 W
• P = 1 atm, T = 25 °C
• W/o aeration only 50%
• 95.27% within 1.5 h

Fig.11 .Schematics of TPFBR Abhang et al. (2011)

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• Shengyong et al. (2012)
• Hexachlorobenzene
• Quartz photocatalytic reactor
• Nano-TiO2 catalyst film on a glass plate
• Two 8W UV lamps
• 50-mL ice-bathed hexane and acetone mixture
• T=25 to 35 °C, t= 9.5 h, 12 µg , 5 mW/cm2
• ~99%

Fig. 12 .Schematic diagram of the photocatalysis reactor.

(Shengyong et al. 2012)

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• Tang et al. (2012)

• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

• Water-jacketed cylindrical quartz photoreactor

• Ferrous sulfate and H2O2

• 9W UV lamp

• PFOA 20.0 _M, H2O2

30.0 mM, Fe2+ 2.0 mM,

pH 3.0

• 95%
Fig. 13. A diagram of the experimental set-up for
photodegradation of PFOA. (Tang et al. 2012)
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• Choi et al. (2012)

• Anodized nano-structured TiO2 membrane

• N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) under UV

• Micro-porous tubular-type pure Ti (12-mm inner

dia., 100-mm length) was prepared for anode
materials.

• 99.9 % pure Ta (thickness 0.25 mm, surface

area of 50x50 mm2) as a counter electrode.

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 • Electrolyte, 1 M KH2PO4 solutions with 0.35 wt% NH4F.
•Electrolyte stirred continuously and anodization was
conducted at a constant potential with a DC power supply.

•Lead to the formation of distinct array of TiO2 nanotubes

Graph. 1 Removal of NDMA using RO membrane (conditions: contact time 100 min,
temperature 20 ± 1 C, NDMA 1 mg L-1, initial pH 6 ± 0.2, UV intensity 64 W and ozone
concentration 9.0 mg L-1). Here, anodized Ti membrane and reverse osmosis are denoted as
A-Ti-M and RO,
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• Souzanchi et al. (2013)

• Phenol

• Annular sieve-plate column photoreactor

• Two concentric columns

• TiO2 immobilized on a stainless steel sieve plate

• 15W UV-A lamp

• t= 6 h, T=35 °C, 0.5 mM phenol

• ~100%

• COD lowered by 95%

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 Fig. 14. Details of size and dimensions of the ASCP photoreactor used in the present study in
two sections: vertical (a), and horizontal (b). (1) Inner quartz tube; (2) outer Pyrex tube; (3) 15WUV-
A lamp; (4) stainless steel sieve plate rings (i.e., TiO2 immobilized support); (5) inlet; (6) outlet.

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 PESTICIDES AND OTHER ORGANICS
Paper Degradation of Reactor Catalyst Light source Operating Result
Conditions
Sraw et al Monocrotophos Slurry batch Aeroxide P-25 Blue black UV t= 3 h 84%
(2013) (MCP) reactor and LR grade florescent MCP= 25 ppm
TiO2 lamps (Philips, P25= 0.5 g/L,
20W) pH = 5
García- Escherichia coli Compound Suspended Sunlight T= 45 °C ~99.9
Fernández and Fusarium parabolic TiO2 Qair= 60 L/h
et al. (2015) solani spores collectors TiO2= 100
(CPC) reactor mg/L
Grcic et Household Thin film TiO2 coated Sunlight t= 4 h 50% organics,
al.(2015) greywater reactor textile fibre
significant
reduction in
other
ingredients
Carra et Acetamiprid(AC Raceway pond Fenton Sunlight, UV pH= 2.8 ± 0.1 >99% TBZ,
al.(2015) TM), reactor (Ferrous iron) irradiance of T=26 ± 2 °C 91% ACTM,.
thiabendazole(T 15 ± 1Wm-2 t= 240 min only 3 TPs
BZ) remained
and their
transformation
products(TPs)

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 DYES
Paper Degradation of Reactor Catalyst Light source Operating Result
Conditions
Esparza et al. Methylene blue Fixed-bed reactor Natural volcanic High-pressure pH =7 Degradation
(2011) ashes (VA), nano- Na vapour T= 20 °C 85.6% with
titania supported on lamp (Philips, VA,
volcanic ashes 400-W 96.4% with
(TVA) G/92/2) TVA
Lin et al. (2012) Methyl orange Multi-layer Nano-sized tio2 8 UV-light Ambient 95%
Rotating disk reactor particles lamps (4 W temperature, conversion
each; Winstar 600 rpm
Lighting Co., Within s of
Ltd) residence time
Byberg & Cobb Direct Red 23, 80, and Thin film reactor TiO2 paper UV lamp Dye 25 mg/L TOC ~80%
(2012) 81, Direct Yellow 27 substrate t= 24 h 100 % color
and 50, and Direct removal
Violet 51
Pastrana-Martínez Methyl orange Quartz cylindrical ECT, m-TiO2 and Heraeus TQ T= 25 °C,
et al. (2013) reactor GOT-3.3 150 medium 0.5 g/L
pressure Hg catalyst
vapor lamp pH 4.4
Li et al. (2014) Rhodamine B (RhB) Novel double- Monolyer An UV black t= 12h 49.6% and
cylindrical-shell TiO2-coated silica light RhB= 10 90.4% in dark
(DCS) photoreactor gel beads lamp (Tokyo mg/L aad in UV,
Metal BM- resp.
10BLB)
Rasoulifard et al. Direct Red 23 Continuous Potassium 72 UV-LEDs S2O82- (12.5 90%
(2014) (DR23) photoreactor peroxydisulfate of 1 W each
mM), DR23
(octagonal
cylindrical) (20 ppm),
current
I.(80%)
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 DRUGS

Paper Degradation of Reactor Catalyst Light source Operating Result

Conditions

Wang et al. 17- Modified TiO2 Three lamps T=25±2 °C 98 %

ethinylestradiol flat plate (Philips t= 120 min
(2012)
(EE2) serpentine TUV8W) TiO2 =0.04 g/L
reactor u= 0.03 m/s,
Iw = 282 W/m2
Pastrana- Diphenhydramine Quartz Large titania sol– Heraeus TQ 150 T= 25 °C ~98%
Martínez et al. (DP) cylindrical gel nanoparticles, medium pressure pH 5.9
(2013) reactor surface modified mercury vapor 1 g/L catalyst
titania lamp t= 240 min
nanoparticles DP (3.40x104
Graphene oxide- mol/L)
tio2 composite
Rodríguez et Atenolol (ATL), Borosilicate TiO2 Two 15 W pH 4 TPC and TOC
al. (2013) hydrochlorothiazide cylindrical black light t= 2 h removal of
(HCT), ofloxacin reactor lamps (Lamp 80% and 60%
(OFX) and 15TBL
trimethoprim
HQPowerTM
(TMP)
Velleman®)

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 TOXIC COMPONENTS
Paper Degradation of Reactor Catalyst Light source Operating Result
Conditions

Abhang et al. Phenol Three phase TiO2 coated on Four lamps of P = 1 atm 95.27% within 1.5
(2011) fluidized bed type solid silica gel 8W T = 25 °C h
of reactor particles t=2h
(TPFBR)

Shengyong et al. Hexachlorobenzene Quartz Nano-TiO2 Two 8W UV T=25 to 35 °C ~99%

(2012) photocatalytic catalyst films lamps t= 9.5 h
reactor 12 µg
5 mW/cm2

Tang et al. Perfluorooctanoic Water-jacketed Ferrous sulfate 9W UV lamp PFOA 20.0 _M, 95%
(2012) acid (PFOA) cylindrical quartz and H2O2 H2O2
photoreactor 30.0 mM, Fe2+
2.0 mM,
pH 3.0, 5 h
Choi et al. N- Membrane TiO2 UV t= 100 min, T= ~100%
(2012) nitrosodimethyla reactor nanotubes (64 W) 20 ± 1 °C,
mine NDMA= 1 mg
L-1, initial pH=
6 ± 0.2
Souzanchi et al. Phenol Annular sieve- TiO2 immobilized 15W UV-A lamp t= 6 h, ~100%
(2013) plate column on a stainless T=35 °C, COD lowered by
photoreactor sieve plate 0.5 mM phenol 95%

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 PROJECT OUTLINE
• Improve cooling tower efficiency
• Biological fouling
• Disinfection of water
• Source
• Identify the microorganisms
• TiO2
• Reactor type
• MOC
• Light source

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 REFERENCES
• Abhang R. M., Kumar D. & Taralkar S. V.,
“Design of Photocatalytic Reactor for
Degradation of Phenol in Wastewater”, Int. J.
Chem. Eng. Appl. 2, 337–341 (2011).
• Choi W.-Y., Lee Y.-W. & Kim J.-O.,
“Performance of photocatalytic membrane
reactor with dual function of microfiltration and
organics removal”, 1517–1522 (2013).
• Izadifard M., Achari G. & Langford C. H.,
“Application of Photocatalysts and LED Light
Sources in Drinking Water Treatment”, 726–743
(2013).
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 • Lin C.-N., Chang C.-Y., Huang H. J., Tsai D. P.
& Wu N.-L., “Photocatalytic degradation of
methyl orange by a multi-layer rotating disk
reactor”, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 19, 3743–
3750 (2012).
• Nakata, K. & Fujishima A., “TiO2 photocatalysis:
Design and applications”, J. Photochem.
Photobiol. C Photochem. Rev. 13, 169–189
(2012).
• Tang H., Xianga Q., Lei M., Yan Zhub L., & Zouc
J., “Efficient degradation of perfluorooctanoic
acid by UV – Fenton process”, Chem. Eng. J.
184, 156–162 (2012).

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 THANK YOU!

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