Comparison between Epoxy and Waterproof Sealers in TiO2 Immobilization on Concrete Surface for Treating Phenolic Wastewater by Photocatalytic Process

Authors
M. Delnavaz
M. Delnavaz
B. Ayati
H. Ganjidoust
S. Sanjabi
Abstract
Abstract:
Two kinds of concrete sealers including epoxy and waterproof were used to immobilize TiO2
nano-particles on concrete surfaces for treating 25-500 mg/L synthetic phenolic wastewater
using photocatalytic process. The reactor consisted of contaminated tank, photocatalytic and
aeration zones. Irradiation of TiO2 was performed by UV-A lamps at different intensity (4.42-
8.9 mW.cm-2) placed 10 cm above the concrete surfaces. SEM and EDX analys is showed a
uniform appearance of TiO2 catalyst on the concrete. In influent phenol concentration (100
mg/L), pH=7 and retention time (4 hr), the removal efficiency by epoxy sealer was more than
20% compared to the waterproof sealer because of hydrophobic effects. Reduction of removal
efficiency was less than 2% for the epoxy sealer after several iterations of the process. Finally,
the effects of intensity and wavelength of UV lamp and system pH in removal efficiency were
evaluated.
Keywords
pH
Photocatalyst
Concentration
UV lamp intensity
Modares Civil Engineering journal
Volume 11, Issue 2
September and October 2011