WATER DISINFECTION USING AN IMMOBILIZED TITANIUM-DIOXIDE FILM IN A PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTOR WITH ELECTRIC-FIELD ENHANCEMENT

We have produced an adherent defect TiO2 film reactor in which the per formance is greatly improved by the application of a small positive bi as (electric field enhancement) to boost hydroxyl radical production. In the reactor the light, electric field and photocatalyst combined to disinfect water containing Clostridium perfringens spores and Escheri chia coli; Singly, neither light, the electric field or the combinatio n of light and fixed film could significantly reduce the numbers of in dicator bacteria. We believe that water disinfection using an immobili sed titanium dioxide film photochemical reactor with electric field : enhancement could provide an effective and energy efficient source of hydroxyl radicals for water disinfection. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevi er Science Ltd.