Kinetic modeling of the photocatalytic degradation of clofibric acid in a slurry reactor

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2015 Jan;22(2):926-37. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-2682-5. Epub 2014 Mar 14.

Abstract

A kinetic study of the photocatalytic degradation of the pharmaceutical clofibric acid is presented. Experiments were carried out under UV radiation employing titanium dioxide in water suspension. The main reaction intermediates were identified and quantified. Intrinsic expressions to represent the kinetics of clofibric acid and the main intermediates were derived. The modeling of the radiation field in the reactor was carried out by Monte Carlo simulation. Experimental runs were performed by varying the catalyst concentration and the incident radiation. Kinetic parameters were estimated from the experiments by applying a non-linear regression procedure. Good agreement was obtained between model predictions and experimental data, with an error of 5.9 % in the estimations of the primary pollutant concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clofibric Acid / chemistry*
  • Clofibric Acid / radiation effects*
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Titanium / chemistry
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Purification

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • titanium dioxide
  • Clofibric Acid
  • Titanium