Integrating Photocatalysis and Microfiltration for Methylene Blue Degradation: Kinetics and Cost Estimation

Abstract

Methylene blue degradation by the UV/TiO 2 and UV/TiO 2 /H 2 O 2 photocatalysis in a suspended photocatalytic reactor coupled with a microfiltration (MF) module is described. The kinetics of methylene blue degradation, cake layer formation on the membrane surface, and the energy consumption of the system are evaluated and discussed. In addition, cost estimation of the treatment of methylene blue by different processes is implemented. The investment and operating costs of the photocatalytic membrane reactors are calculated and compared with the UV systems and UV/TiO 2 -MF.

Fluoride-Doped TiO2 Photocatalyst with Enhanced Activity for Stable Pollutant Degradation

“…The attained EC values are related to the future application costs of these processes, and consequently, it seems the proposed catalyst and set-up could be scaled-up in further studies (Figure S8). In fact, Pham et al [44] scaled-up the photodegradation of 20 mg/L of MB with H 2 O 2 and even though their lamp consumed much more (25 W) than the used here (4.8 W), they established an energy cost of 8.41 EUR/m 3 which is competitive with other treatment processes. Our process may reduce those costs considering our degradation rate of 0.1367 min −1 defeated the degradation rate of Pham et al [44] (0.0105 min −1 ).…”

“…In fact, Pham et al [44] scaled-up the photodegradation of 20 mg/L of MB with H 2 O 2 and even though their lamp consumed much more (25 W) than the used here (4.8 W), they established an energy cost of 8.41 EUR/m 3 which is competitive with other treatment processes. Our process may reduce those costs considering our degradation rate of 0.1367 min −1 defeated the degradation rate of Pham et al [44] (0.0105 min −1 ). Indeed, the energy costs for the proposed system of 50 mL with the long-pulse procedure radiation would be 9.6 EUR/m 3 which, as it was reported in Section 3.3.3, could be improved with the addition of H 2 O 2 [44].…”

“…Our process may reduce those costs considering our degradation rate of 0.1367 min −1 defeated the degradation rate of Pham et al [44] (0.0105 min −1 ). Indeed, the energy costs for the proposed system of 50 mL with the long-pulse procedure radiation would be 9.6 EUR/m 3 which, as it was reported in Section 3.3.3, could be improved with the addition of H 2 O 2 [44].…”

Critical assessment of advanced oxidation processes and bio-electrochemical integrated systems for removing emerging contaminants from wastewater

“…Similarly, rhodamine B-contaminated wastewater was treated in a continuous flow zig-zag photocatalytic reactor at a cost of 9 $ per m 3 . 143 In order to economise the photocatalysis treatment, Pham et al (2022) 144 integrated a microfiltration unit with the photocatalytic oxidation process for treating dye wastewater containing methylene blue. Installation of a microfiltration unit enabled the recovery and reuse of photocatalysts, thus bringing down the cost to 8.21 $ per m 3 .…”

“…Installation of a microfiltration unit enabled the recovery and reuse of photocatalysts, thus bringing down the cost to 8.21 $ per m 3 . 144 The price can be further marginalised in P-MFCs, which conjoins photocatalytic oxidation with MFCs. Evidently, BES-coupled AOP treatments are definitely more sustainable and commercially lucrative.…”