Transport and surface reaction model of a photocatalytic membrane during the radical filtration of methylene blue

“This study explores the synergy between photocatalytic oxidation and membrane filtration using a photocatalytic membrane. Titanium dioxide coated alumina membranes were fabricated and tested in a customized Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor (PMR) module. The discoloration of methylene blue (MB), 3.2 mg·L−1 in an aqueous solution, was evaluated in dead-end filtration mode. A simple 1D analytic transport and surface reaction model was used based on advection and diffusion, containing intrinsic retention by the membrane and reaction kinetics to predict the permeate concentration. The discoloration of MB by the photocatalytic membrane could be well described by a single retention and reaction rate constant (second Damköhler number) for fluxes from 1.6 to 16.2 L·m−2·h−1. The model furthermore indicates the potential synergy between membrane retention, which leads to increased concentration, and accompanying photocatalytic conversion, at the membrane surface.”

(Citation: Heredia Deba, S.A., Wols, B.A., et.al. – Transport and surface reaction model of a photocatalytic membrane during the radical filtration of methylene blue – Chemical Engineering Science 254(2022) art. no. 117617 – DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2022.117617 – (Open Access))

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