Removal of contaminants of concern in water using advanced oxidation techniques

Abstract

This research involves the removal of contaminants of concern in water supplies using advanced oxidation technologies, in particular titanium dioxide photocatalysis. Photocatalysis for the removal of 1,4-dioxane and the natural (17 beta-oestradiol, oestriol) and synthetic (17 alpha-ethynyloestradiol) oestrogens in water was investigated using both UVA and solar radiation. The H2O2/UVC process, solar, UVC and UVA light alone were also investigated and the processes compared. It was found that TiO2 photocatalysis is an effective method for the degradation of the natural (17 beta-oestradiol and oestriol) and the synthetic (17 alpha-ethynyloestradiol) oestrogens in water in immobilised Degussa P25 and sol-gel spiral reactors with both UVA and solar radiation as the light source. Photocatalysis using the commercial catalyst Degussa P25 as an immobilised reactor with a UVA lamp shows the best performance. Photocatalysis was shown to completely mineralise 1,4-dioxane to CO2 in Degussa P25 suspension and sol-gel reactors using both UVA and solar radiation. The commercial catalyst Degussa P25 in suspension with UVA radiation shows the best performance. Photocatalysis is much more efficient than H2O2/UVC, UVA, UVC and solar radiation alone for all contaminants investigated.