The role of TiO2 NPs catalyst and packing material in removal of phenol from wastewater using an ozonized bubble column reactor

Phenol is present as a highly toxic pollutant in wastewater, and it has a dangerous impact on the environment. In the present research, the phenol removal from wastewater has been achieved using four treatment methods in a bubble column reactor (treatment by ozone only, using packed bubble column reactor with ozone, utilizing ozone with TiO2 NPs catalyst in the reactor without packing, and employing ozone with TiO2 NPs in the presence of packing). The effects of phenol concentration, ozone dosage, TiO2 NPs additions, and contact time on the phenol removal efficiency were determined. It was found that at a contact time of 30 min, the phenol removal was 60.4, 74.9, 86.0, and 100% for the first, second, third, and fourth methods, respectively. The results indicated that the phenol degradation method using catalytic ozonation in a packed bubble column with TiO2 NPs is the best treatment method. This study demonstrated the advantages of using packing materials in a bubble column reactor to enhance the mass transfer process in an ozonation reaction and then increase the phenol removal efficiency. Also, the presence of TiO2 NPs as a catalyst improves the ozonation process via the production of hydroxyl routs. Additionally, the reaction kinetics of ozonation reaction manifested that the first order model is more applicable for the reaction. Eventually, the packed bubble column reactor in the presence of TiO2 NPs catalyst provided a highperformance removal of phenol with a high economic feasibility.

Photochemical Oxidation Process of Copper from Electroplating Wastewater: Process Performance and Kinetic Study

An investigation of the process of ozone combined with ultraviolet radiation has been carried out in order to establish the kinetics for photochemical oxidation of copper (Cu) from electroplating wastewater. The effects of operating parameters, including initial Cu concentration, ozone dosage, UV irradiation intensity, and pH value on the photochemical oxidation of Cu have been studied comprehensively. The Cu concentration during the reaction was identified using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method. The solid product was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX) methods. It was found that the UV-Ozone process has high performance on Cu removal compared to UV and Ozone processes due to the high production rate of HO• radicals. It was also found that the solid product from the UV-Ozone process was CuO monoclinic crystal phase. The initial Cu concentration, ozone dosage, and pH value were significantly affected the Cu removal efficiency. On the other hand, the UV irradiation intensity was not significant; however, it has responsibility in promoting the ozone photolysis. The kinetics model for the photochemical oxidation of Cu was established following the first-order kinetic model. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism was also developed.