Solar Photocatalysis
Many aqueous wastes cannot be treated directly by a biological treatment plant because they contain toxic substances that could destroy the growth of microorganisms in it, with the consequent startup time that this inconvenience would entail.
With solar photocatalysis, these contaminants are oxidized, regardless of whether they are poisonous, through the action of solar radiation and the use of a catalyst. The final product is harmless to life.
Operating Principle
In the photoreactor, a reaction occurs that emulates the metabolic reactions of respiration: we start with a complex organic molecule that we oxidize to the desired point, even to its total conversion into CO2 and H2O.
For this to be possible, the catalyst receives radiation from the ultraviolet and visible blue range and accelerates the formation of one of the most powerful oxidants known (even more than chlorine): hydroxyl radicals •OH upon which efficient advanced oxidation processes (AOP) are based.
SOLARCADOX oxidizes the poison to biodegradable molecules that serve as food for microorganisms in biological treatment plants.
SOLARDETOX goes further in oxidizing these poisons, as the effluent obtained can be discharged directly without further treatment.
Applications
- Pesticides (organophosphates, chlorinated, carbamates)
- Phenols and chlorophenols
- Cyanides
- Chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene, chloroform, methylene chloride, etc.) and other chlorinated organics.
- Aromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Antibiotics and cytostatics
- Biocides
- Terpenes
In general, substances that are hardly biodegradable or even possess biocidal action. Therefore, they decrease the efficiency of biological treatment—often completely disable it—and hinder the agricultural use of sludges from treatment plants.
Advantages
- Does not transfer pollution to another medium: eliminates it
- Operates with solar energy
- Simple operation and maintenance
- Cutting-edge technology and design
- Eco-efficient: better life cycle analysis than competing technologies
- Fully automatic operation
- Minimal reagent consumption
Pilot Plants
Our standard manufacturing of SOLAR PHOTOCATALYSIS PILOT PLANTS includes solar reactors with surface areas of 0.25, 0.6, 2, and 4 m2. We also build other sizes upon request from our clients. The base product includes:
- UV-A SOLAR radiometer (industrial sensor with cosine response) + integrated controller displaying solar power and energy captured by the reactor on the display.
- Pt100 temperature sensor.
- RS485/USB card and data acquisition software.
- Circulation tank, polypropylene pipes, and valves.
- Electromagnetic drag circulation pump.
- IP-65 electrical panel, support structure in anodized aluminum and stainless steel 316-A4 with wheels, reactor protection with acrylic sheet.
Among the most common OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT, we usually include:
- pH measurement, REDOX potential, dissolved oxygen measurement.
- Teflon-coated electromagnetic flowmeter with Hastelloy electrodes.
- Teflon-coated heater with PID temperature control.
- Standalone solar system with photovoltaic panels (does not require electricity supply).
- UV-C reactor connected in parallel or in series to the solar process.
- Automated control of pH, REDOX potential, and dissolved oxygen.
- Air bubbling, O2 or O3 within the reactor.
- Irradiation with UV-A lamps.
