Photonic and Quantum Efficiencies in a New UV-LED Photocatalytic Reactor

SATUF, M. L.; MANASSERO, A.; ALFANO, O. M.; NEGRO, A.

Almería

Congreso; 10th European meeting on Solar Chemistry and Photocatalysis: Environmental Applications (SPEA10); 2018

Ciesol, PSA, Universidad de Almería

The efficiency of an annular, fixed-bed reactor for the photocatalytic degradation of the pharmaceutical clofibric acid (CA) in water was assessed. The annulus of the reactor was filled with TiO2-coated glass rings and irradiated internally and externally with ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The influence of the initial CA concentration and of different irradiation conditions was evaluated. The results demonstrated the feasibility of this reactor to degrade the pharmaceutical. The performance of the reactor was evaluated by means of two parameters: (i) the photonic efficiency (ηph) and (ii) the quantum efficiency (ηqu). The best efficiencies were obtained by using the highest initial concentration of CA and the lowest incident radiation condition.