Coupling of Photocatalytic and Biological Reactors to Remove EDTA-Fe from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Degradation of 2.5 mM EDTA-Fe solution was performed in a coupled photocatalytic-biological reactor. The system consists of a photochemical annular reactor filled with TiO₂ immobilized on glass Raschig rings coupled with an activated sludge continuous reactor. Around 50 % of EDTA degradation was reached after 150 min irradiation. Simultaneously a four-fold increase in biodegradability, measured as BOD₅/COD ratio, was observed. The activated sludge is not capable to degrade the complex EDTA-Fe but it removed partially the COD and efficiently the BOD₅ of the photochemically treated solution.

Keywords:

• IMMOBILIZED TIO2
• EDTA-FE
• ACTIVATED SLUDGE
• AOP-BIOLOGICAL REACTOR
• PHOTOCATALYSIS