Metal Complex Catalyst for Hydrogen Peroxide Wastewater Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating wastewater contaminated with microorganisms using hydrogen peroxide have low kinetics for degradation of organic compounds and germ destruction, necessitating the enhancement of the biocidal effect of hydrogen peroxide through catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a metal complex compound with metal cations of iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, vanadium, or manganese, combined with organic complex ligands containing aromatic heterocycles and tertiary alkylamine skeletons, which are supported on a solid substrate to enhance the biocidal effect of hydrogen peroxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogen peroxide is used for wastewater treatment, then disinfection and decomposition of organic impurities is achieved, but the conversion rate is low due to complex reaction kinetics
Solution Approach 1:
A metal complex compound is introduced as an intermediary catalyst to mediate the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The metal complex facilitates the breakdown of H2O2 into reactive oxygen species that accelerate germ destruction and organic compound degradation, thereby increasing the conversion rate without complicating the overall process design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing metal complex compounds with specific metal cations (iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, vanadium, or manganese) and organic complex ligands. This parameter change transforms the reaction kinetics by creating a catalytic system that operates efficiently under the existing process conditions without requiring fundamental process redesign
2Productivity
If metal complex compounds are added to increase catalytic activity, then the biocidal effect of hydrogen peroxide is enhanced, but the catalyst may be released into the aqueous phase causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The metal complex compound is immobilized on a porous support material, which provides a large surface area for catalyst attachment while preventing release into the aqueous phase. The porous structure allows wastewater to permeate through and contact the catalyst actively, maintaining high biocidal effect without catalyst contamination
Solution Approach 2:
A composite material system is created by combining the metal complex compound with a solid support material. This composite structure integrates the catalytic function with the immobilization function, allowing the catalyst to remain fixed on the support while maintaining its activity for enhancing hydrogen peroxide's biocidal effect
3Productivity
If homogeneous metal catalysts are used, then catalytic activity is high, but separation and recovery of the catalyst is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst system is segmented into two distinct phases: the metal complex compound immobilized on a solid support material and the aqueous wastewater phase. This segmentation allows the catalyst to remain in the solid phase while the wastewater flows through, enabling easy separation by simple filtration or decantation without complex separation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The solid support material acts as an intermediary carrier that holds the metal complex compound in a fixed position. This intermediary structure enables the catalyst to maintain high catalytic activity while being physically separated from the wastewater, facilitating easy recovery and reuse of the catalyst
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly increases the biocidal effect of hydrogen peroxide, achieving a substantial reduction in microbial load, with the catalyst's immobilization on a solid substrate preventing its release into the aqueous phase and maintaining high catalytic activity over a wide pH range.
Implementation Method 1
the reductive decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is catalyzed in a complex reaction sequence by the presence of iron (II) ions
Implementation Method 2
Due to their high oxidative effect, which is partly attributed to the formation of radical intermediates during the conversion of the peroxo compounds
Implementation Method 3
catalyst material supported with the organic metal complex compound in the wastewater
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating waste waters containing germs or microorganisms with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst being an organic metal complex compound of cations of iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, vanadium or manganese and of a complexing agent having a tertiary alkylamine structure, said complexing agent consisting of nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocycles. The method further comprises the steps of dosing the metal complex compound according to the invention to the waste water to increase the biocidal effect of the hydrogen peroxide and killing off the germs or microorganisms on the catalyst material that is supported by the organic metal complex compound in the hydrogen peroxide-containing water.