Photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene over TiO2/SiO2 in an annulus fluidized bed reactor

Abstract

The effects of superficial gas velocity (Ug), wavelength and intensity of ultraviolet (UV) light, oxygen and H2O concentration on the photocatalytic degradation of TCE (Trichloroethylene) over TiO2/SiO2 catalyst have been determined in an annulus fluidized bed photoreactor. The key factor in determining the performance of the annulus fluidized bed photoreactor is found to be an optimum superficial gas velocity (Ug) that provides the optimum UV lighttransmit through the proper size of bubbles in the photoreactor. The degradation efficiency of TCE increases with light intensity but decreases with wavelength of the UV light and H2O concentration in the fluidized bed of TiO2/silica-gel photocatalyst. The optimum concentration of O2 for TCE degradation is found to be approximately 10%. The annulus fluidized bed photoreactor is an effective tool for high TCE degradation with efficient utilization of photon energy.