Design and optimization of a new photocatalytic reactor with immobilized ZnO for water purification

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this work were to study the degradation of the niflumic acid (NIF) with a new solar photocatalytic reactor using immobilized ZnO. The residence time distribution and the reactor efficiency for the NIF removal were studied. Two models for Retention Time Distribution (RTD) have been summarized and compared with the experimental data. Effects on the photocatalytic degradation process owing to various operating parameters conditions were also studied in continue flow. The repetitive operation performance indicates the good reproducibility of the new reactor for NIF degradation. Concerning the energy, the reactor was designed to ensure its energy autonomy through solar energy.