Tio2/SiO2/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles synthesis and application in methyl orange UV photocatalytic removal

Three main parameters affecting TiO₂/SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles activity in photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange were investigated using response surface methodology (SRM). Precipitation method and sol-gel technique were used to prepare SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ electromagnetic composite support and TiO₂/SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ photocatalytically active nanoparticles. The specific surface area, pore volume, and average pore size of the synthesized nanoparticles were respectively equal to 56 m²/g, 0.12 cm³/g and 9.4 nm. The point of zero charge (PZC) of the catalyst was measured to be 5.9. The maximum and minimum photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange using the synthesized nanoparticles were 100% and 30%, respectively. A linear model was fitted to the obtained results with R²_adjusted equal to 0.87. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that catalyst concentration, reaction media pH and aeration rate were significantly affected the photocatalytic activity. Optimization was performed considering photocatalytic activity as the main objective functions. In order to maximize photocatalytic activity, catalyst loading, reaction media pH and aeration rate were respectively adjusted to 2,000 ppm, 3 and 2.5 L/min, which resulted in total methyl orange removal. Considering promising photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/SiO₂/Fe₃O₄ along with core-sell nanocomposite separation performance led us to propose this photocatalyst as an alternative solution for treating waste waters.

Optimization of photocatalytic degradation of real textile dye house wastewater by response surface methodology

This study evaluates the advanced oxidation process for decolorization of real textile dyeing wastewater containing azo and disperse dye by TiO₂ and UV radiation. Among effective parameters on the photocatalytic process, effects of three operational parameters (TiO₂ concentration, initial pH and aeration flow rate) were examined with response surface methodology. The F-value (136.75) and p-value <0.0001 imply that the model is significant. The 'Pred R-Squared' of 0.95 is in reasonable agreement with the 'Adj R-Squared' of 0.98, which confirms the adaptability of this model. From the quadratic models developed for degradation and subsequent analysis of variance (ANOVA) test using Design Expert software, the concentration of catalyst was found to be the most influential factor, while all the other factors were also significant. To achieve maximum dye removal, optimum conditions were found at TiO₂ concentration of 3 g L^-1, initial pH of 7 and aeration flow rate of 1.50 L min^-1. Under the conditions stated, the percentages of dye and chemical oxygen demand removal were 98.50% and 91.50%, respectively. Furthermore, the mineralization test showed that total organic compounds removal was 91.50% during optimum conditions.

Neutralization of NaAlO2 solution with CO2 for synthesis of γ-Al2O3 nanoparticles, part 1: effects of synthesis parameters in semi-batch membrane dispersion microstructured reactor

Controlling characteristics of synthesized pseudoboehmite nanoparticles by means of parameters governing the neutralization process. Proposing formation mechanism of pseudoboehmite in three main stages: nucleation, aggregation and assembly.

Evaluation and modeling of a newly designed impinging stream photoreactor equipped with a TiO2 coated fiberglass cloth

The photocatalytic degradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) using TiO₂ particles immobilized on a fiberglass cloth was investigated in a novel design of a photo-impinging stream reactor.

Performance evaluation of a continuous flow photocatalytic reactor for wastewater treatment

A novel photocatalytic reactor for wastewater treatment was designed and constructed. The main part of the reactor was an aluminum tube in which 12 stainless steel circular baffles and four quartz tube were placed inside of the reactor like shell and tube heat exchangers. Four UV-C lamps were housed within the space of the quartz tubes. Surface of the baffles was coated with TiO2. A simple method was employed for TiO2 immobilization, while the characterization of the supported photocatalyst was based on the results obtained through performing some common analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and BET. Phenol was selected as a model pollutant. A solution of a known initial concentration (20, 60, and 100 ppmv) was introduced to the reactor. The reactor also has a recycle flow to make turbulent flow inside of the reactor. The selected recycle flow rate was 7 × 10(-5) m(3).s(-1), while the flow rate of feed was 2.53 × 10(-7), 7.56 × 10(-7), and 1.26 × 10(-6) m(3).s(-1), respectively. To evaluate performance of the reactor, response surface methodology was employed. A four-factor three-level Box-Behnken design was developed to evaluate the reactor performance for degradation of phenol. Effects of phenol inlet concentration (20-100 ppmv), pH (3-9), liquid flow rate (2.53 × 10(-7)-1.26 × 10(-6) m(3).s(-1)), and TiO2 loading (8.8-17.6 g.m(-2)) were analyzed with this method. The adjusted R (2) value (0.9936) was in close agreement with that of corresponding R (2) value (0.9961). The maximum predicted degradation of phenol was 75.50 % at the optimum processing conditions (initial phenol concentration of 20 ppmv, pH ∼ 6.41, and flow rate of 2.53 × 10(-7) m(3).s(-1) and catalyst loading of 17.6 g.m(-2)). Experimental degradation of phenol determined at the optimum conditions was 73.7 %. XRD patterns and SEM images at the optimum conditions revealed that crystal size is approximately 25 nm and TiO2 nanoparticles with visible agglomerates distribute densely and uniformly over the surface of stainless steel substrate. BET specific surface area of immobilized TiO2 was 47.2 and 45.8 m(2) g(-1) before and after the experiments, respectively. Reduction in TOC content, after steady state condition, showed that maximum phenol decomposition occurred at neutral condition (pH ∼ 6).

Application of a novel type impinging streams reactor in solid-liquid enzyme reactions and modeling of residence time distribution using GDB model

Solid-liquid enzyme reactions constitute important processes in biochemical industries. The isomerization of d-glucose to d-fructose, using the immobilized glucose isomerase (Sweetzyme T), as a typical example of solid-liquid catalyzed reactions has been carried out in one stage and multi-stage novel type of impinging streams reactors. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the effects of certain pertinent parameters of the process namely axial velocity (A), feed concentration (B), nozzles' flow rates (C) and enzyme loading (D) on the performance of the apparatus. The results obtained from the conversion of glucose in this reactor were much higher than those expected in conventional reactors, while residence time was decreased dramatically. Residence time distribution (RTD) in a one-stage impinging streams reactor was investigated using colored solution as the tracer. The results showed that the flow pattern in the reactor was close to that in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Based on the analysis of flow region in the reactor, gamma distribution model with bypass (GDB) was applied to study the RTD of the reactor. The results indicated that RTD in the impinging streams reactor could be described by the latter model.

Residence time distribution analysis and kinetic study of toluene photo-degradation using a continuous immobilized photoreactor

The photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds is an innovative intensification technology.