Simultaneous catalytic oxidation and adsorption process in a tubular membrane reactor

• Grant number: 23/12068-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 27, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Carlos Silva Costa Teixeira
• Grantee: Raissa Antonelli
• Supervisor: Vitor Jorge Pais Vilar
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade do Porto (UP), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/04688-6 - HYBRID PROCESS COMBINING FIXED-BED ADSORPTION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL REGENERATION OF CLAY ADSORBENT FOR ANTIBIOTIC REMOVAL FROM WASTEWATER, BP.PD

Abstract

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern, such as antibiotics, in the environment has caused growing alarm worldwide as these compounds can drive the spread of bacterial resistance. Their occurrence in aqueous matrices has shown that conventional wastewater treatment methods are ineffective in removing most of these compounds, therefore, new and more effective treatment processes need to be investigated and improved. Advanced Oxidative Processes (AOPs) have shown promise for the remediation of effluents contaminated with antibiotics. However, the application of single AOPs in many cases shows low mineralization efficiency and incomplete degradation of the target molecules, making process integration an attractive option. Coupling AOPs with adsorption technology can increase efficiency and even reduce treatment costs. Despite this, the high cost associated with energy and oxidants consumption in AOPs are challenges to be overcome. Through technological approaches in reactor design, the tubular membrane reactor, proposed by Prof. Vítor J. P. Vilar, allows the smart-dosing of oxidants along the reactor length, improving the radial and axial distribution of the oxidant in the entire annular reaction zone (ARZ), minimizing the oxidant consumption. In this sense, it is understood that there are significant opportunities for the use of this reactor in the simultaneous adsorption/oxidation process, where clay particles will be packed in the ARZ. The clay particles will act as catalyst and adsorbent, being continuously regenerated through reactive species generated on the surface of the particles by the interaction of the oxidant with the metal oxides. This technological approach seeks to mitigate the limitations of individual processes, allowing effective degradation of organic pollutants. (AU)