PHOTOELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDATION OF MUNICIPAL REVERSE OSMOSIS CONCENTRATE
In this study, a UVA/LED driven photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) system was set up. This system was first applied to the degradation of trimethoprim. The effects of essential operational parameters were studied, with the focus on chloride. The results reveal that reactive chlorine species (RCS) converted from chloride could greatly affect the degradation efficiency as well as the degradation pathway of trimethoprim. Furthermore, this PEC system was applied to a real municipal reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) for the oxidations of emerging contaminants and bulk organics. The corresponding degradation efficiency and energy consumption were analysed. Primary reactive species under different operational conditions were profiled for the discussion of the underlying oxidation mechanisms. RCS formed from the abundant chloride in ROC raised the concern of halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs), trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. The results show that PEC could be an economically viable alternative for ROC treatment with proper control of DBPs formation.
Photoelectrocatalysis,reverse osmosis concentrate,reactive chlorine species,trimethoprim,disinfection byproducts,emerging contaminants
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