Evaluation of Photocatalysis as Pre-Treatment for the Degradation of Emerging Pollutants

SATUF, M.L.; MANASSERO, A.; ZACARÍAS, S.M.; ALFANO, O.M.

Cusco

Conferencia; 5th Iberoamerican Conference on Advanced Oxidation Technologies; 2022

Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería

Clofibric acid (CA) is a pharmaceutical resistant to biodegradation and very persistence in the environment. In this work, heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO2 was applied in order to enhance the biodegradability of the efluent and to continue with the degradation in a biological reactor. Combination of photocatalysis with a post-biological treatment could reduce treatment costs. Photocatalysis was carried out in a an annular reactor filled with glass rings coated with the catalyst and irradiated with UV-LEDs. A batch reactor was employed for biological oxidation assays. In 120 h, CA was not removed in the biological reactor. However, conversions of 90% of CA were reached in the photocatalytic reactor. Also, a significant increase in the biodegradability of the effluent was achieved. This result would allow the coupling of both processes.