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Performance of Silica-Titania Carbon Composites for Photocatalytic Degradation of Gray Water |
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| Authors: | Christina Y Ludwig Heather E Byrne Jennifer M Stokke Paul A Chadik David W Mazyck |
| Affiliation: | 1Student, Dept. of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Univ. of Florida, P.O. Box 116540, Gainesville, FL 32611. 2Research and Development Director, Clear Carbon Innovations, 5510 SW 41st Blvd., Suite 205, Gainesville, FL 32608. 3Engineer, Carollo Engineers, 401 North Cattleman Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232. 4Department Chair, Dept. of Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Florida, P.O. Box 116540, Gainesville, FL 32611. 5Associate Professor/Graduate Coordinator, Dept. of Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Florida, P.O. Box 116540, Gainesville, FL 32611 (corresponding author). |
| Abstract: | The objective of this research was to develop a photocatalytic reactor that will reduce the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of a gray water influent. The system used a reactor packed with titanium dioxide (TiO2) supported by silica gel (SiO2) and was optimized with respect to several system parameters. The SiO2–TiO2 composites (STCs) were capable of reducing the TOC concentration from 3,000 ppb to below the targeted concentration of 500 ppb in a recirculating system. An optimum empty bed contact time of 7 min was found based on the fastest destruction rate to reach below 500 ppb of TOC. Also based on destruction rate, a STC having a TiO2 loading of 12 g/100 mL of SiO2 precursor and approximately 120-? pore size was shown to have the best performance among several composites of different TiO2 loadings and pore sizes. The addition of activated carbon to the STC was found to improve the overall performance of the system by increasing the composite’s adsorption capabilities. |
| Keywords: | Titanium Carbon dioxide Wastewater management Degradation |