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The photocatalytic degradation of Alcian Blue 8 GX, a copper phthalocyanine cationic dye, has been investigated in aqueous solutions both in heterogeneous and homogeneous systems. Initial colour removal rates in different conditions were calculated in both cases. Influence of amounts of H 2 O 2 and FeCl 3 was studied and compared for the two photocatalytic systems. Finally, some conclusions regarding the efficiency of the two photocatalytic processes were established.

Refractory organic compounds (priority pollutants) are difficult to remove from industrial wastewaters by conventional methods and, especially in the case of biological treatment, these compounds may slow down or even stop the microorganisms activity. Heterogeneous photocatalysis may be considered a viable alternative for the removal of refractory organics due to several important advantages such as: complete mineralization or formation of more readily biodegradable intermediates when complex organic compounds are treated, no need of auxiliary chemicals, no residual formation, easily operation and maintenance of the equipment. This paper presents a literature survey of the research conducted in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis, providing information on the possibilities and efficiencies encountered in the application of this process for industrial wastewater treatment for the removal of different types of refractory organic compounds. The basic fundamental principles are described, as well as the influence of the main parameters governing the heterogeneous photocatalytic process such as: wavelength, mass of catalysts, type and initial concentration of refractory organic contaminants, type of charge-trapping species, initial pH, temperature, light intensity. The possibilities to oxidise the organic compound from different industrial wastewaters are also reviewed in order to identify the active catalysts and the operating conditions, but also to investigate the correlations between all factors influencing the photocatalytic process.

The present paper is a literature survey of some representative works conducted in the filed of photocatalytic reactors approaching the major issues should be considered in development of commercially available photocatalytic systems for different purposes: whether to use suspended or supported catalysts and whether to use concentrated or nonconcentrating sunlight. Different photoreactor configurations and experimental setups containing such systems used for study of varied liquid-phase or gas-phase pollutants degradation under artificial UV light irradiation were described. The common problems encountered in design of photocatalytic reactors were discussed and few modalities for increasing their performances were proposed. Pilot-scale experiments employing different (concentrating, non-concentrating and low-concentrating) photocatalytic solar devices were also presented and compared in terms of their efficiencies in water detoxification applications. The advantages and disadvantages of these photocatalytic solar technologies were reviewed in order to assess the possibilities to extend their application at industrial scale.

In Romania, science shops are university departments that act like an interface between universities and civil society, providing research information and educational programs, mainly on environmental subjects. After presenting an overview of the organisational forms, objectives and benefits resulted from cooperation with science shops, this paper discusses the contributions of science shops activities to curriculum development, especially by means of project-based learning. Thus, the relevance of project-based learning (associated also with project management) for the environmental engineering education is depicted by analysing 2 cases realised at the