PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF PHENOL AND CHLORINATED PHENOLS USING AG-TIO2 IN A SLURRY REACTOR

Photodegradation of phenol (PhOH), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,3,5 -trichlorophenol (2,3,5-TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) was investiga ted using an open upflow slurry reactor and TiO2 (Ag-loaded) as photoc atalyst. Light was provided by three 125 W high-pressure mercury lamps . Best degradation rates were obtained using 250 mg 1(-1) of Ag-TiO2 i n the presence of H2O2 and a constant supply of air (1.71 min(-1)). Un der this optimized condition, destruction rate constants obtained for a 1x10(-4)M solution of PhOH, 2,4-DCP, 2,3,5-TCP and PCP were 0.0493, 0.0430, 0.0367 and 0.0356 min(-1), respectively. Each gram of phenol r equired 1.70 kW for its photodestruction.