title: Evaluation of UV/TiO(2) and UV/ZnO photocatalytic systems coupled to a biological process for the treatment of bleaching pulp mill effluent.
abstract: This paper presents an exploratory study of pulp mill bleaching effluent treatment by a biological-photocatalytic coupled system. A fungus, Trametes pubescens, immobilized on polyurethane foam was used to inoculate the biological pre-treatment system. The pretreated effluent was then exposed to a photocatalytic treatment in which two catalysts (TiO(2) and ZnO) and two supports (aluminum foil and Luffa cylindrica) were tested. Catalyst characterization was carried out by means of X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Information about crystalline structure, chemical composition, morphology, homogeneity and distribution on the support surface area was obtained. The overall biological-photocatalytic coupled system achieved degradation of 96% of initial total organic carbon (TOC), 97% of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 90% of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-CP) and 99% of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP). This approach of synergistic coupling of T. pubescens and a semiconductor photocatalyst appears to be a viable alternative for the treatment of these non-biodegradable effluents.
authors: Research Center in Environmental Engineering (CIIA), Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Cr 1ª Este 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors: Diana C
authors: DC
authors: Botía
authors: Manuel S
authors: MS
authors: Rodríguez
authors: Víctor M
authors: VM
authors: Sarria
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002384:Catalysis; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D055454:Trametes / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002733:Chlorophenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; C030683:2-chlorophenol; C024564:2,4,6-trichlorophenol; C004762:2,4-dichlorophenol; D015034:Zinc Oxide