PHOTOCATALYTIC SYSTEM FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONTAMINATED WATER

Abstract

Photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water comprising: - a channel piece (1) comprising: a channel (2) with a U-shaped section comprising an inlet slot (6) and an outlet slot (7), a first wall (3) at a first end of the channel (2), housing a water inlet (5) communicating with the inlet slot (6), and a second wall (4) at a second end of the channel (2) opposite the first end with a water outlet (8) communicating with the outlet slot (7); - a base piece (13) which, in turn, comprises: a base (14) comprising a plurality of steps (15), and two columns (16) which, in turn, comprise two housings (17) at their ends, such that each housing (17) is configured so that the channel piece (2) rests on the columns (16), with free rotation capability, by means of two studs (18) located close to the first wall (3) of the channel piece (2); - two articulated pieces (19), one on each side of the channel (2), where each articulated piece (19) comprises: a hole (26) at a first end, configured to fix each articulated piece (19) with rotation capability around a stud (20) located on each side of the channel (2), a second end (24) with a section different from the section of the rest of the articulated piece (19); - a support piece (21) comprising: a projection (22) configured to be positioned on the various steps (15) of the base (14), and two linear housings (23), wherein said linear housings (23) are inclined and configured to receive the ends (24) of the articulated pieces (19) with the capacity for free movement along the linear housings (23); - an LED lighting cover (11) located on the channel (2).

Description

PHOTOCATALYTIC SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT FROM CONTAMINATED WATERS Field of invention The present invention relates to a photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that offers a comprehensive, compact, and highly energy-efficient solution for the decontamination of polluted water. The photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water of the invention is applicable in the water treatment and regeneration industry. Background of the invention A photocatalytic system for treating contaminated water is a technology that uses light (ultraviolet, visible, or solar) to activate a photocatalyst, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), to degrade and remove organic pollutants and other harmful substances present in the water. This process is an alternative to conventional methods, especially for persistent or difficult-to-treat contaminants, producing hydroxyl radicals (H₂O), superoxide (O₂), and / or singlet oxygen (O₂) that have the capacity to oxidize contaminants without generating chemical byproducts. The main components of a photocatalytic system are a photocatalyst, which is generally a semiconductor such as titanium dioxide, which is inert, non-toxic, stable, and inexpensive; a light source, which can be sunlight, visible light, or ultraviolet (UV) light, such that the light energy activates the photocatalyst; and a reactor, which is a container where the contaminated water and the photocatalyst come into contact with the light. The application of a photocatalytic system offers key advantages, which are: It is a clean technology that does not require the use of chemicals and does not generate toxic byproducts. You can use renewable energy sources, since you can use sunlight as an energy source, which is more environmentally sustainable. It exhibits high efficiency with difficult contaminants, as it is particularly useful for treating persistent organic pollutants, such as dyes, herbicides, phenols, or pharmaceutical residues. It allows its application in wastewater, as it is positioned as a promising technology for the treatment of domestic and rural wastewater. In the prior art, document RO132804A0 is known, which discloses a thin-film photoreactor for advanced water purification comprising a tank that is detachably assembled with a central support and a cover. The tank comprises a base plate, a flat sealing gasket, and an internal profiled frame with several circular joints, provided on the medial longitudinal axis with two threaded holes for detachably and hermetically mounting the hydraulic inlet / outlet connections. The central support comprises a support plate, several glass plates coated on their upper part with an active water purification material, two side bars, and two front distributors having several equidistant channels arranged parallel to the inlet-outlet axis. The cover comprises a plate, a flat sealing gasket,a glass plate with superior light transmittance and reflectance properties and a frame. There are also some known scientific articles that present some similar technical characteristics, but not all the aspects considered in our proposal: Gan, Wee; Lam, Sai; Chiang, Ken; Amal, Rose; Zhao, Huijun; Brungs, Michael. (2007). Novel T1O2 thin film with non-UV activated superwetting and antifogging behaviors. Journal of Materials Chemistry. https: / / doi.org / 10.1039 / B618280A: It features a confined flow, no tilt adjustment, and a different system to support the catalyst. Samy, Mahmoud; Ibrahim, Mona G.; Fujii, Manabu; Diab, Kamal E.; EIKady, Marwa; GarAlalm, Mohamed, (2021) . CNTs / MOF-808 painted plates for extended treatment of pharmaceutical and agrochemical wastewaters in a novel photocatalytic reactor. Chemical Engineering Journal, 406, 127152. https: / / doi.Org / 10.1016 / j.cej.2020.127152: presents a system similar to ours, but without regulating the inclination, the lighting is not with LEDs and it presents stirring systems with a glass that the system of the invention does not have. - Gabriela Olimpia Isopencu; Alexandra Mocanu; luliana-Mihaela Deleanu (2022) . A brief review of photocatalytic reactors. ChemEngineering, 6 (6) , 89. https: / / doi.org / 10.3390 / chemengineering6060089: This article from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, (Romania) in 2022, describes several inclined reactor designs, but without incorporating height or light type regulation. Brief description of the invention The invention relates to a photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water comprising a channel piece. The channel piece, in turn, comprises a U-shaped channel having an inlet slot and an outlet slot, a first wall at a first end of the channel, which houses a water inlet communicating with the inlet slot, and a second wall at a second end of the channel opposite the first end with a water outlet communicating with the outlet slot. The system for treating contaminated water, the subject of the invention, also comprises a base piece which, in turn, comprises a base comprising a plurality of steps, and two columns which, in turn, comprise two supports at their end, such that each support is configured so that the channel piece rests on the columns, with free rotation capability, by means of two pins that are close to the first wall of the channel piece. The system that is the subject of the invention also comprises two articulated pieces, one on each side of the channel, capable of rotation around a pin located on each side of the channel, and a support piece. Each articulated piece comprises a hole at a first end, configured for fixing, with the ability to rotate around a stud located on each side of the channel, and a second end with a section different from the section of the rest of the articulated piece. Each support piece comprises a projection configured to be positioned on the various steps of the base and two linear housings, where said housings are inclined and configured to receive the ends of the articulated pieces with the ability to move freely along the housings. The system that is the subject of the invention also comprises a cover for fixing LED technology lamps and stackable separating pieces designed for their placement and height adjustment on the channel. In the system that is the subject of the invention, the inlet slot has a length that corresponds to the width of the channel piece. In the system that is the subject of the invention, the channel comprises a bottom with a mechanical fixing system for a catalyst plate. In the system subject to the invention, the mechanical fixing system comprises a tongue and groove between the bottom and the catalyst plate. The system that is the subject of the invention comprises at least one separator piece located between the LED lighting cover and the channel. In the system that is the subject of the invention, the separating pieces comprise side walls with gaps to dissipate the heat generated by the lights installed in the lid. The system that is the subject of the invention features a geometry and modularity designed to maximize photocatalytic efficiency and facilitate its scalability and industrial replicability. Brief description of the figures To complement the description that follows and to help in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied by a set of drawings based on which the innovations and advantages of the object of the invention will be more easily understood. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the channel piece of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the channel piece of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the support piece of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an articulated part of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, the subject of the invention. Figure 6 shows a plan view of the base piece of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention. Figure 7 shows a side view of a column of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a catalyst plate of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, the subject of the invention. Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the LED lighting cover of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a separation piece of the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, the subject of the invention. The numerical references used in the figures are: 1. piece of channel, 2. channel, 3. first wall, 4. second wall, 5. Water inlet, 6. input slot, 7. Exit slot, 8. Water outlet, 9. background, 10. Catalytic converter plate, 11. LED technology lighting cover, 12. separator piece, 13. base piece, 14. base, 15th step, 16th column, 17. Accommodation, 18. nipple, 19. articulated piece, 20. lug on each side of the canal, 21. support piece, 22. outgoing, 23. linear accommodation, 24. end of the articulated piece, 25. side wall with gaps for separating piece, and 26. articulated part hole. Preferred embodiment of the invention The object of the invention is a photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water comprising a channel piece (1) through which the water circulates for treatment and a base piece (13) that serves as support for the channel piece (1). The channel piece (1) comprises: a channel (2) with a U-shaped section where water treatment is carried out, a first wall (3) at a first end of the channel (2), and - a second wall (4) at a second end of the channel (2) opposite the first end. The first wall (3) houses a water inlet (5) such that water enters the channel piece (1) through this inlet (5) and rises inside the first wall (3) to the channel (2), which it accesses through an inlet slot (6), such that, in the preferred embodiment, the length of the inlet slot (6) corresponds to the width of the channel (2). With this configuration, the water flows in laminar flow through the channel (2). At the second end of the channel (2) is located an outlet slot (7) that connects the channel (2) to the second wall (4), such that this second wall (4) houses the water outlet (8). In the preferred embodiment, the length of the outlet slot (7) corresponds to the width of the channel (2). The channel (2) comprises a bottom (9) that houses a mechanical fastening system for a catalyst plate (10) over which water circulates during the treatment of contaminated water. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical fastening system comprises a tongue and groove joint between the bottom (9) and the catalyst plate (10). The mechanical fixing system prevents the catalyst plate (10) from floating during water flow, improving the stability and reproducibility of the process. It also prevents the formation of preferential flow paths for the liquid. The contact area between the photocatalyst on the support and the liquid being treated is maximized. The need for subsequent catalyst separation or filtration, as required in systems with suspended catalysts, is eliminated. The photocatalytic system for treating contaminated water, which is the subject of the invention, comprises an LED lighting cover (11) located above the channel (2) and which can be positioned on a separator piece (12). To modify the distance of the LED lighting above the catalyst plate (10), separator pieces (12) of different dimensions can be used. Furthermore, the separator pieces (12) include side walls with openings (25) that allow the dissipation of the generated heat, preventing overheating and thus extending the service life of the components. The LED lighting used in the photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention is configurable in intensity and spectrum (UV, visible), and has low energy consumption. The photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water that is the subject of the invention allows adjusting the inclination of the channel (2) to modify the speed of the water in the treatment. To adjust the inclination of the channel (2), the system comprises: - the base piece (13) which, in turn, comprises: a base (14) comprising a plurality of steps (15), and two columns (16) fixed to the base (14) which, in turn, comprise at their free end a housing (17) per column (16), such that each housing (17) serves to join the channel piece (2) to the columns (16), with free rotation capability, by means of two pins (18) located close to the first wall (3) of the channel piece (2); - two articulated pieces (19), one on each side of the channel (2), where each articulated piece (19) comprises: an orifice (26) at a first end, configured to fix each articulated piece (19) capable of rotation around a pin (20) located on each side of the channel (2), a second end (24) with a different section than the section of the rest of the articulated piece (19), a support piece (21) comprising a projection (22) configured to be located on the different steps (15) of the base (14) and comprising two linear housings (23), wherein said linear housings (23) are inclined and configured to receive the second ends (24) of the articulated pieces (19) with the ability to move freely along the linear housings (23). In one embodiment of the invention, the end (24) of the articulated piece (19) has a cross-section complementary to the cross-section of the linear housings (23) of the support piece (21), so that the articulated piece (19) has guided free movement along the length of the linear housings (23) of the support piece, while also being able to rotate around the stud (20) on each side of the channel (2). With the previous configuration, modifying the position of the protrusion (22) of the support piece (21) on one of the steps (15) of the base (14) of the base piece (13) modifies the position of the channel piece (1) with respect to the base piece (13) and therefore the inclination of the channel (2). Manually adjusting the inclination of the channel (2) simply by changing the position of the protrusion (22) on the different steps (15) is a passive and mechanical system that does not require actuators or complex tools. In the system that is the subject of the invention, the option of regulating the slope of the inclined channel allows control of the formation of a liquid film on the catalyst plate (10), thus maximizing the surface / volume ratio (S / V), ensuring uniform irradiation and better catalytic contact. The components of the photocatalytic system for treating contaminated water, which is the subject of this invention, are manufactured using additive manufacturing technologies (3D printing). The photocatalytic system for treating contaminated water, which is the subject of this invention, is suitable for operation in both continuous flow and recirculation modes.

Claims

1. Photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water comprising: - a channel piece (1) comprising: a channel (2) with a U-shaped section comprising an inlet slot (6) and an outlet slot (7), a first wall (3) at a first end of the channel (2), housing a water inlet (5) communicating with the inlet slot (6), and a second wall (4) at a second end of the channel (2) opposite the first end with a water outlet (8) communicating with the outlet slot (7); - a base piece (13) which, in turn, comprises: a base (14) comprising a plurality of steps (15), and two columns (16) which, in turn, comprise two housings (17) at their end, such that each housing (17) is configured so that the channel piece (2) rests on the columns (16), with free rotation capability, by means of two pins (18) located close to the first wall (3) of the channel piece (2); - two articulated pieces (19),one on each side of the channel (2), where each articulated piece (19) comprises: a hole (26) at a first end, configured to fix each articulated piece (19) capable of rotation around a stud (20) located on each side of the channel (2), a second end (24) with a cross-section different from the cross-section of the rest of the articulated piece (19); - a support piece (21) comprising: a projection (22) configured to be positioned on the different steps (15) of the base (14) and, two linear housings (23), where said linear housings (23) are inclined and configured to receive the ends (24) of the articulated pieces (19) capable of free movement along the linear housings (23); - an LED lighting cover (11) located above the channel (2).

2. Photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water,1. A photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the inlet slot (6) has a length corresponding to the width of the channel piece (1).

2. A photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the channel (2) comprises a bottom (9) with a mechanical fastening system for a catalyst plate (10).

3. A photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, according to claim 3, characterized in that the mechanical fastening system comprises a tongue and groove joint between the bottom (9) and the catalyst plate (10).

4. A photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one separator piece (12) located between the LED lighting cover (11) and the channel (2).

5. A photocatalytic system for the treatment of contaminated water, according to claim 5,characterized in that the separating pieces (12) comprise side walls with gaps (25).,