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Development and assessment of photo-catalytic membranes for water purification using solar radiation

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Coto, M 
Troughton, SC 
Duan, J 
Kumar, RV 
Clyne, TW 

Abstract

This paper describes a novel set-up for characterization of the performance of membranes designed for purification of water. It involves a recirculatory system, with continuous monitoring of the concentration in the water of a representative pollutant (Methylene Blue). Pressures, flow rates and temperatures are also measured. Results, in the form of rate constants for reduction in pollutant concentration, are presented for three different types of membrane, all of which incorporate relatively high surface areas of titania and have permeability values in a range making them suitable for this type of processing (~10-11 m2). These results are rationalized in terms of the surface areas of the membranes, and the likely water flow characteristics within them. It is concluded that all of the titania surfaces within them have similar efficiencies for photo-catalytic oxidation of pollutants, but there are significant differences in the ways that the water is exposed to these surfaces, and hence in the pollutant oxidation rates. These points are relevant to the optimization of membrane design for this purpose.

Description

Keywords

Photo-catalysis, Water purification, Plasma electrolytic oxidation, Titanium dioxide

Journal Title

Applied Surface Science

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0169-4332
1873-5584

Volume Title

433

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K503009/1)
EPSRC (EP/K503757/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/I001174/1)