Design and Characterization of a Novel Rotating Corrugated Drum Reactor for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

A novel photoreactor system consisting of a TiO2-coated corrugated drum and a UV light source is experimentally characterized for the treatment of phenol-polluted wastewaters. The design incorporates periodic illumination and increased agitation through the introduction of rotation. The effects ofrent degrees and flat fins to increase surface area, varying rotational speed, initial pollutant concentration, and illumination intensities were studied. The corrugated and finned drums did not exhibit a critical rotational speed, indicating that there is excellent mass transfer in the system. A Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic analysis was applied to the degradation, and an average adsorption coefficient ofK=0.120 L/mg was observed. The overall reaction rate increased with increasing surface area from 0.046 mg/L/min for the annular drum to 0.16 mg/L/min for the 40-fin drum. The apparent photonic efficiency was found to increase with increasing surface area at a faster rate for the corrugations than for the fin additions. The energy efficiency (EE/O) found for the drums varied from 380–550 kWh/m3, which is up to 490% more energy-efficient than the annular drum.

A corrugated plate photocatalytic reactor for degradation of waterborne organic contaminants

“…In comparison to other water treatment corrugated‐type photocatalytic reactor designs, the system is stationary and relies on a pump to supply spray pipes to promote mass transfer over the catalytic surfaces instead of rotating drums, which are likely to consume more electrical energy. Previous reported work also employed UV‐A or UV‐B, whereas a UV‐C light source was used in this study to allow for co‐disinfection.…”

“…Different types of UV photocatalytic reactors have been designed to degrade organic molecules in air and water . Due to the surface reactions, the reactor should be configured for optimum mass transfer of oxygen, reactant, and product .…”

TiO2 based nanopowder coatings over stainless steel plates for UV‐C photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

“…Energy absorption also relies on reactor geometry and catalyst material properties . Due to the diffuse emission pattern of UV irradiation, light energy absorption will be also influenced by reactor geometries; it can be deduced that light energy absorption may be also influenced by surface morphology as excessive roughness of the coated surface may impede light energy absorption.…”

Rotating corrugated photoreactor design: Experimental and computational analysis of TiO2‐based photocatalysis

“…UV‐based rotating corrugated photocatalytic reactors have recently been considered for applications involving gravity‐driven flow or batch systems where chemical‐based disinfection methods are less desirable . Partial insertion of the reactor geometry into a flowing media induces constant rotation that continuously refreshes the fluid media at the catalytic surface.…”