Intensification of heterogeneous photocatalysis by applying a kenics® static mixer as catalyst support

Despite scientific community’s efforts, overcoming mass and photon transfer limitations remain a main challenge for heterogeneous photocatalysis with immobilized catalysts. Here, a Kenics® static mixer was used for the first time as catalyst support for heterogeneous photocatalysis in tubular reactors. This permitted not only to take advantage of the enhanced mass transfer supplied by the intense mixing, but also to provide a total illumination of the photocatalyst surface area with front-irradiation mechanism by using sunlight combined with compound parabolic collectors. Stainless steel Kenics® static mixers were coated with TiO2 or Fe2O3 photocatalyst and applied for oxytetracycline (OTC) degradation in aqueous solutions. The photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated as a function of different parameters: (i) catalyst deposition technique (dip coating or spray coating), (ii) photocatalyst film thickness, (iii) oxidant (H2O2) concentration, and (iv) number of static mixing elements.

Keywords

Heterogeneous photocatalysis Kenics static mixer Spray coating technique Homogenous photo-fenton

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/21099

Citation

Vilar, V.; Diez, A.M.; Moreira, F.; Marinho, B.; Espínola, J.; Martins, Ramiro; Sanromán, M.; Pazos, M.; Boaventura, R. (2017). Intensification of heterogeneous photocatalysis by applying a kenics® static mixer as catalyst support. In 3rd Iberoamerican Conference on Advanced Oxidation Technologies (III Cipoa) and 2nd Colombian Conference on Advanced Oxidation Processes (II Ccpaox). Guatapé (Medellín), Colombia