The removal of chemical pollutants of emerging concern has been already reported to be achievable simultaneously to the inactivation of microorganisms by using photocatalytic disinfection processes under ideal simulated effluents. In this work, we report the successful application of the process to the treatment of real effluents of biological wastewater treatments. Experiments have been carried out using a compound parabolic collector (CPC) solar photoreactor operated under solar simulated light provided by a 5000 W xenon lamp. Different operational variables such as residence time, flow rate, catalyst concentration, light flux, addition of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, have been evaluated on their effect on the efficiency of the process for the removal of 12 different emerging chemical contaminants and in the inactivation of biological loading of the tested effluent. Validation of the process operation under real sun conditions has been also carried out. Results confirm the successful elimination of most of the tested contaminants (both chemical and biological), serving as a proof-of-concept of the suitability of coupling biotreatment and photocatalytic disinfection for the removal of chemical and biological emerging contaminants in water reclamation plants.

Photocatalytic disinfection and removal of emerging pollutants from real effluents of biological wastewater treatment

250th National Meeting (2015)

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