Simulation of a Photocatalytic Reactor Using Finite Volume and Discrete Ordinate Method: A Parametric Study

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 MSc Chemical Eng Dep Chemical Engineering Department Amirkabir Uni of Technology

2 Faculty member, Chemical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology

3 faculty member Chemical Engineering Department Tehran University

Abstract

Advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment have received recently a great deal of attention. Photocatalytic oxidation processes decompose water pollutants using nano-structured photocatalyst materials, titanium dioxide, and ultraviolet irradiation. Although there is extensive experimental research in this field, designing a photoreactor is still a challenge. An effectual approach to this issue is the application of computational fluid dynamics. The performance of the catalyst, which is activated by ultraviolet irradiation, is one of the important factors affecting photoreactor efficiency. In the case of poor ultraviolet radiation distribution inside the reactor, the performance decreases due to catalyst inactivity. In this study, a computational fluid dynamics model for the simulation of radiation distribution inside a photoreactor was developed and evaluated against experimental data. Simulations were then carried on different catalyst loading, lamp power and wall reflectivity. The result showed that at a low concentration of catalyst (0.4 g/l), the reaction rate increases by up to 50% by increasing the wall reflectivity to 98%. At the lamp power of 2p < /em> and p < /em>, the reaction rate increases by up to 12.2 % and 11% respectively, meaning only a 1% increase in reaction rate while increasing lamp power.

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References

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 53, Issue 1 (Special Issue)
April 2021
Pages 573-588

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