Photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) over TiO2/silica gel in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) photoreactor

The effects of the ratio of TiO2/silica gel, superficial gas velocity (Ug), solid circulation rate (Gs), initial trichloroethylene (TCE) concentration, wavelength of UV light, and concentrations of H2O and O2 on photodegradation of TCE over TiO2/silica gel have been determined in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) photoreactor. The TCE conversion decreases with wavelength of the UV light, the initial TCE and H2O concentrations in the CFB reactor. The optimum concentration of O2 for TCE degradation is found to be approximately 9 vol.% in the CFB photoreactor. The CFB photoreactor is an effective tool for high TCE degradation with efficient utilization of photon energy.