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Research Papers

# A Model for Solar Photocatalytic Mineralization

[+] Author and Article Information
Franck Correia

Vincent Goetz1

Gaël Plantard, Daniel Sacco

PROMES-CNRS, UPR8521, ambla de laThermodynamique, 66100 Perpignan, France

1

Corresponding author

J. Sol. Energy Eng 133(3), 031002 (Jul 19, 2011) (5 pages) doi:10.1115/1.4004242 History: Received January 12, 2011; Revised April 18, 2011; Published July 19, 2011; Online July 19, 2011

## Abstract

Modeling the mineralization of an organic pollutant was studied using a slurry of TiO2 powder. 2-4 dichlorophenol was chosen as the target molecule. In a first stage, a study was carried out, on the basis of a semi-empirical approach in order to define the optimal concentration of the catalyst. In a second stage, a series of photocatalytic mineralization was performed with a laboratory set-up using an artificial UV source. The parameters involved in the kinetics of mineralization were identified by a comparison of results obtained by simulations and experiments at constant but different levels of irradiation. In a third stage, the robustness and suitability of the model were tested with experiments carried out with an experimental solar set-up with different dimensions. No supplementary adjustment of parameters was needed to simulate the experiments performed under unsteady irradiation. Finally, the model is used to illustrate the great variation in treatment capability of a solar photocatalytic process depending on the weather conditions and, more particularly, the seasonal variations in UV irradiation.

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## Figures

Figure 1

(a) Laboratory set-up: 1-UVlamp, 2- reactor, 3-tank, 4-pump, 5-CPC, 6-bleed sample. (b) Picture of the solar set-up.

Figure 2

(a) Transmittance as a function of the product of TiO2 concentration by optical length (l) in the quartz vessel. (b) Initial kinetic constants for the mineralization of 2-4 DCP as a function of the TiO2 concentration.

Figure 3

Simulated (continuous line) and experimental mineralization of 2-4DCP with the laboratory set-up under different UV fluxes: (♦) 5 Wm−2 , (▴) 10 Wm−2 , (×) 20 Wm−2 , (•) 30 Wm−2 , (+) 40 Wm−2

Figure 4

Simulated (continuous lines) and experimental (symbols) mineralizations of 2-4DCP at low (a) and high concentrations (b) with the solar set-up; UV irradiation (dotted lines)

Figure 5

UV irradiation on average days at Perpignan for a surface oriented north-south and tilted at 45°; simulated TOC profiles with the solar set-up. Continuous lines (—) for the month of July, dotted lines (….) for January.

Figure 6

(a) Simulated TOC profile (—) for irradiation conditions (…) corresponding to the month of July at Perpignan. Volume treated 2.6 m3 . (b) Treatment capability from January to December per unit month and as a function of initial TOC concentration: 10 (□), 20 (▪), 50 (▪) et 80 (▪) mgCOT  · l−1 .

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