Three-stage photocatalytic reactor system for the in-situ degradation of antibiotic residues in wastewater

Abstract

A three-stage photocatalytic reactor system (100) for the in-situ degradation of antibiotic residues in wastewater, comprising: an inlet tube (1) made of borosilicate glass designed to receive contaminated wastewater; a stage 1 unit (2) comprising a borosilicate glass tube filled with synthetic fibers and activated carbon (3), wherein the stage 1 unit (2) is designed to retain suspended solid particles and to adsorb larger organic contaminants from the incoming wastewater;a stage 2 unit (4) comprising a borosilicate glass rod (5) with a plurality of gas-permeable pores (6), a ZnO-WO3 photocatalyst nanocomposite (7) enclosed in a dialysis membrane bag (8), and a surrounding cylindrical UV chamber (9) housing a plurality of UV-C lamps (10), wherein the stage 2 unit (4) is configured to irradiate the photocatalytic nanocomposite (7) to effect photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic residues in the wastewater; a stage 3 unit (11) comprising a borosilicate glass tube containing ion exchange resins (12) retained in a mesh for adsorption of ionic intermediate conversion products generated during photocatalytic degradation; and an outlet tube (13) designed to discharge the treated wastewater.and a rectangular housing made of galvanized iron, designed to enclose and support the reactor system (100), the housing comprising an exhaust opening for venting gases generated during photocatalysis.