Photocatalytic membrane reactor

Moziaa S, Morawskia AW, Toyodab M et al (2009) Application of anatase-phase Ti02 for decomposition of azo dye in a photocatalytic membrane reactor. Desalination 24 97-105... 

These catalytic membranes have been successfully used in a photocatalytic membrane reactor for the mineralization of the phenol, one of the main organic pollutants in wastewater, demonstrating that these catalytic membranes are stable and recyclable [42]. 

Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors in the Conversion or Degradation of Organic Compounds... 

The photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) combine the advantages of classical photoreactors (catalyst in suspension) and those of membrane processes (separation at molecular level) with a synergy for both technologies. 

Various types of photocatalytic membrane reactors in which the catalyst was used in different modes have been built with the purpose to have an easy separation of the catalyst from the reaction environment a photocatalyst in suspension in magnetically or mechanically agitated slurries confined by means of a membrane, fixed bed, catalyst deposited or entrapped on an inert support or in a membrane, and so on. 

Molinari et at. [73] reported a study on various configurations of photocatalytic membrane reactors for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol using Ti02 as catalyst. Two configurations have been studied irradiation of a recirculation tank, with the suspended catalyst confined by means of the membrane, and irradiation of the cell containing the membrane with three sub-cases catalyst deposited on the membrane, catalyst suspended, and catalyst included in a membrane during its preparation. 

Parameters Influencing the Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors (PMRs) Performance... 

In the development of a photocatalytic membrane reactor it is important to take into account some parameters that influence the performance of the system and its applicability to the industrial level. 

The possibility to use sunlight makes the photocatalytic membrane reactors promising in industrial and environmental fields, although very few studies have yet been performed in this area. 

In this section some experimental results obtained in our laboratories on PM Rs are reported. In particular two different photocatalytic membrane reactors, used in total and partial photocatalytic oxidations are described. 

In addition, the maximum benefit when a photocatalytic membrane reactor is used for water purification consists in retaining not only the pollutants but also their intermediates. 

Photocatalytic membrane reactors represent a very promising technology of great research and industrial interest. 

Photocatalytic membrane reactor Ti02-UV/VIS Laboratory Molinari et al. (2001)... 

Molinari R, Grande C, Drioli E, Palmisa-NO L, ScHiAVELLO M (2001) Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors for the Degradation of... 

Molinari R., Caruso A., Poerio T. 2009. Direct benzene conversion to phenol in a hybrid photocatalytic membrane reactor. Catalysis Today 144 81-86. 

Photocatalytic membrane reactors have been analysed over the years (see e.g., Damodar and You, 2010 Grzechulska-Damszel et al, 2009 Molinari et al, 2002,2008,2009,2010 Mozia et al, 2008,2010), but only more recently has photocatalysis been coupled with pervaporation in an integrated process. 

Mozia S, Morawski A W,Toyoda M and Inagaki M (2008), Effectiveness of photodecomposition of an azo dye on a novel anatase-phase Ti02 and two commercial photocatalysts in a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) , Sep Purif Technol, 63,386-391. 

Photocatalytic membrane reactors fundamentals, membrane materials and operational issues... 

Key words heterogeneous photocatalysis, membranes, photocatalytic membrane reactors. 

A promising approach to overcoming these problems is the combined application of photocatalysis and membrane processes. Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) are useful for the catalyst separation and for the control of photo-oxidation products and/or by-products. TTie membrane may also ensure continuous operation in systems where the reaction of interest and the separation of product(s) can occur in a single step. The membrane process can be carried out without chemical additives and involves low energy costs. 

---