Scale-Up of Photocatalytic Degradation of Disinfection By-Products in Water: Bridging the Gap from Laboratory Protocols to Pilot-Scale Implementation

Winter School on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and Disinfection By-Products (DBPs): Occurrence, Impact and Elimination 1 Winter School on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) Occurrence, Impact and Elimination Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal 25-26th November 2024 BOOK OF ABSTRACTS Pobrano z https://repozytorium.bg.ug.edu.pl / Downloaded from Repository of University of Gdask 2025-11-19 11:48 Winter School on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and Disinfection By-Products (DBPs): Occurrence, Impact and Elimination 167 PC 46: Scale-Up of Photocatalytic Degradation of Disinfection By-Products in Water: Bridging the Gap from Laboratory Protocols to Pilot-Scale Implementation M Miodyńska1, O. Cavdar1, P. Mazierski1, A. Pieczyńska1, A. Zaleska-Medynska1. (1) University of Gdansk, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Technology, Wita Stwosza 63, Gdańsk, Poland, [email protected] Disinfection by-products (DBPs) form during water treatment disinfection, posing health risks due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Efforts to mitigate DBPs include exploring removal methods, with photocatalysis showing promise (Chang et al., 2019). This study introduces a novel method: immobilizing TiO2 nanoparticles on a porous Al2O3 matrix to create efficient photocatalytic layers. Firstly, photocatalytic measurements were conducted in a batch reactor containing a DBP solution, showing significant degradation of DBPs after 60 minutes of irradiation using an Xe lamp. Stability tests confirmed consistent effectiveness over five cycles. This study underscores the potential of TiO2-based photocatalytic layers for efficient and versatile water treatment applications. Accordingly, a pilot-scale flow reactor, driven by low-cost UV LEDs and incorporating photocatalytic layers, was designed and retested to improve process economics and enhance mass exchange for degrading representative DBP compounds. The new technology has yielded satisfactory results and holds promise for real-world applications in the future. Pobrano z https://repozytorium.bg.ug.edu.pl / Downloaded from Repository of University of Gdask 2025-11-19 11:48 TCP Scale-Up of Photocatalytic Degradation of Disinfection By-Products in Water: Bridging the Gap from Laboratory Protocols to Pilot-Scale Implementation University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Technology, Wita Stwosza 63, Gdansk, Poland, [email protected] Magdalena Miodyńska-Melzer, Onur Cavdar, Paweł Mazierski, Aleksandra Pieczyńska, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska Acknowledgement: The research was funded by the Horizon Europe Program of the European Union as part of the project No. 101081963 “Innovative Integrated Tools and Technologies to Protect and Treat Drinking Water from Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)”, acronym “H2OforAll”. https://h2oforall.eu/ Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are chemical compounds formed unintentionally during water treatment when disinfectants like chlorine or chloramine react with organic and inorganic matter [1]. While disinfection prevents waterborne diseases, DBPs pose health risks due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties [2]. To reduce DBP levels, various removal methods have been explored [3], with photocatalysis showing promise for DBP degradation [4]. Using photocatalysts like titanium dioxide (TiO2), photocatalysis harnesses light to drive reactions that break down DBPs [5]. In this study, we propose immobilizing TiO2nanoparticles on a porous Al2O3matrix, demonstrating effective photocatalytic degradation of selected DBPs. References: [1] R. Xiao et al., Disinfection Byproducts and Their Precursors in Drinking Water Sources: Origins, Influencing Factors, and Environmental Insights, Engineering., 36 (2024) 36–50. [2] Kimura et al.,Formation Mechanisms of Disinfection Byproducts: Recent Developments. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 7 (2019) 61– 68. [3] Mazhar et al., Chlorination Disinfection By-Products in Municipal Drinking Water – A Review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 273 (2020) 123159. [4] Chang, et al., Photocatalytic Degradation of Trihalomethanes and Haloacetonitriles on Graphitic Carbon Nitride under Visible Light Irradiation. Science of The Total Environment, 682 (2019) 200–207. [5] Lee, et al., State-of-the-Art Review on Photocatalysis for Efficient Wastewater Treatment: Attractive Approach in Photocatalyst Design and Parameters Affecting the Photocatalytic Degradation. Catalysis Communications, 183 (2023) 106764. ➢A stable photocatalytic paste containing TiO₂ nanoparticles with effective photocatalytic properties was successfully formulated. ➢A reliable procedure was developed for applying this paste onto the surface of commercially available porous Al₂O₃ceramic matrices. (different shape and size) ➢The resulting photocatalytic layers were effectively utilized in the degradation of selected DBPs under photocatalytic conditions, demonstrating excellent process efficiency. ➢The highest efficiency of photodegradation was observed for haloacids (MCAA and CSA), both in batch and continuous system. ➢No photodegradation was determined for halomethanes (BDCM). ➢These findings provide a solid foundation for further advancement in the application of the developed photocatalytic materials, particularly from a process engineering perspective. The exact content of the photocatalytic paste with TiO2 particles and parameters of photocatalytic layers preparation is patented (no WO2021173021A1) 1. Cleaning ceramic foam 2. Drying the ceramic foam in the dryer 3. Dipping the foam into the photocatalytic paste containing TiO2particles 4. Removing the photocatalytic layer from the paste and removing the excess paste with an air stream 5. Drying the photocatalytic foam in a dryer 6. Calcination of the foam Photocatalytic foams preparation 1 step BATCH REACTOR 2 step CONTINUOUS SYSTEM 2 x 2 x 1 cm •Irradiation source: 1000 W Xe lamp •Light intensity: 100 mW/cm2 •Reactor volume: 25 mL •Initial concentration of pollutant solution: 20 mg/L •Volume of pollutant solution: 25 mL •Temperature: 16 ℃ (thermostat) •Filter: BK7 (cut-off light below 300 nm) •1 photocatalytic foam per process •Flow rate: 4.7 mL/s •Irradiation source: UV-LEDs (λ=365 nm) •Light intensity: 50 mW/cm2 •Reactor volume: 2L •Initial concentration of pollutant solution: 20 mg/L •Volume of pollutant solution: 5 L •Temperature: room temperature (air conditioner 18-20 ℃) •3 photocatalytic foams per process INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS Photocatalytic experiments Label Name BDCM Bromodichloromethane MCAA Monochloroacetic acid CSA 5 -Chlorosalicylic acid CP 4 -Chlorophenol DCP 2,4 -Dichlorophenol TCP 2,4,6 -Trichlorophenol CNP 4 -Chloro-3-nitrophenol CSA CP DCP CNP BDCM MCAA CONCLUSION RESULTS CONCLUSION TOC removal ~ 75.8% TOC removal ~ 49.9% TOC removal ~ 54.5% TOC removal ~ 51.7% TOC removal ~ 39.5% TOC removal ~ 61.6%