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Photocatalytic membrane for removal of organic contaminants during ultra-purification of water

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Abstract

Experiments were performed using a photocatalytic membrane fabricated by embedding titanium dioxide particles within a polymer matrix. Catalyst particles were activated by ultraviolet illumination of the membrane. Experimental results demonstrated the feasibility of the photocatalytic process for elimination from water of trace organic solute concentrations. A mathematical model is proposed that aided in the estimation of kinetic parameters associated with the process. The process simulation is based upon a mechanism whereby the primary organic solvent is mineralized via a series of reactions that involve not less than two organic solute intermediates. The reaction rate parameter associated with 254-nm illumination is estimated to be directly proportional to light intensity. Where 185-nm light and 254-nm light were used together, their catalytic effects were shown to be comparable, but the oxidative effect of 185-nm illumination had the added benefit of noncatalytic oxidation. Catalyst and support system improvements are indicated to increase the photocatalytic effect.

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Abbreviations

C i :

TOC present as solute i within membrane volume, spatially dependent (ppb solute in water)

\( C_{_i }^{\rm d} \) :

TOC present as solute i exiting the "downstream" side of the membrane chamber (ppb solute in water)

\( C_{_i }^{\rm u} \) :

TOC present as solute i entering the "upstream" side of the membrane chamber (ppb solute in water)

\( I^{\rm \nu } \) :

intensity of illumination, frequency specific and spatially dependent (mW cm−2)

\( I_{\rm o}^{\rm \nu } \) :

incident intensity of illumination, frequency specific (mW cm−2)

\( I_{\rm o}^{{\rm 185}} \) :

intensity of 185-nm illumination incident upon the membrane surface (mW cm−2)

\( I_{\rm o}^{{\rm 254}} \) :

intensity of 254-nm illumination incident upon the membrane surface (mW cm−2)

\( k_i \) :

overall surface reaction rate constant for solute i, incorporating both illumination intensity and reaction energetics (s−1)

\( k_i^{\rm b} \) :

bulk reaction rate constant for solute i attributed to 185-nm illumination of CSTR volume (cm2 mW−1 s−1)

\( k_i^{185} \) :

surface reaction rate constant for solute i attributed to 185-nm illumination (cm2 mW−1 s−1)

\( k_i^{254} \) :

surface reaction rate constant for solute i attributed to 254-nm illumination (cm2 mW−1 s−1)

L :

membrane thickness (cm)

m :

modified Beer's law exponent

q :

TOC analyzer consumption volumetric flow rate (cm3 s−1)

Q :

recirculation volumetric flow rate (cm3 s−1)

S :

membrane diametral area (cm2)

u x :

linear velocity of fluid (cm s−1)

\( V_{\rm o}^{\rm a} \) :

initial reservoir volume (cm3)

V b :

membrane chamber CSTR volume "upstream" of the membrane (cm3)

V p :

membrane pore volume (cm3)

x :

spatial coordinate across membrane (cm)

α:

modified Beer's law coefficient (cm−m)

ε:

membrane porosity (cm3 fluid (cm3 total)−1)

ν:

illumination wavelength (nm)

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Acknowledgements

This work was sponsored by NSF/SRC Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Benign Semiconductor Manufacturing through National Science Foundation cooperative agreement EEC-9528813 and Semiconductor Research Corporation contract 2001-MC-425. The authors would also like to acknowledge Pall Corporation for providing some of the membrane materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    R. E. Morris & F. Shadman

  2. Environmental Programs, Department G7LA, IBM Microelectronics, Mail Stop 966A, 1000 River Road, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, USA

    E. Krikanova

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  1. R. E. Morris
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Correspondence to R. E. Morris.

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Morris, R.E., Krikanova, E. & Shadman, F. Photocatalytic membrane for removal of organic contaminants during ultra-purification of water. Clean Techn Environ Policy 6, 96–104 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-003-0198-7

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