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UEX SUBPROJECT OBJECTIVES

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF SUBPROJECT CTQ2012/35789/C02/01

1. Preparation and characterization of the following type of catalysts: non-TiO2 catalysts as WO3, TiO2 doped catalysts with metal nanoparticles or anions, mixed oxide catalysts, generally including TiO2, magnetic catalysts based on the previous ones but containing iron oxides. It is expected that these catalysts will be active with UVA-visible and, especially solar radiation and their activity will be increased with the presence of ozone.

2. Application of these catalysts to remove water contaminants, that are refractory to classical operations in wastewater and, specially, to the direct attack of ozone. This will confirm the oxidation through free radicals and positive centers and the synergic effect of photocatalytic ozonation.

3. Establish the coordination with URV group in relation to methods for the preparation of best catalysts to be applied in each AOP.

4. Application of best catalysts, prepared, characterized and used to remove refractory contaminants, for the treatment of wastewater. Wastewater will be urban, from biologically treated secondary effluents, and industrial wastewater. In this case, depending on their nature, that is, organic content, some previous or subsequent biological aerobic step will be applied with the aim of optimizing the combined process with catalytic or photocatalytic oxidation and reduce the COD and BOD to reach reusing conditions.

5. Comparison of the results, using the best catalysts, with those corresponding to more basic processes (single or combined ozonation with hydrogen peroxide, ozone photolysis and catalytic ozonation).

6. Carrying out experiments on catalytic and photocatalytic ozonation with the best catalysts that the URV group has prepared and used with the aim of establishing comparison with the different AOPs investigated.

7. In all cases, the following aspects will be studied: a) Regarding the catalysts: effects of the percentage of doping agents and oxides, method of preparation, surface area, porosity, active phases, active phase and support interaction, etc. b) Regarding the AOP: Effects of operating variables (pH, ozone and catalyst concentration, radiation type and intensity, refractory character of contaminants, charge of wastewater, etc); c) The mechanism and kinetics of the gas-liquid-solid processes to be developed; d) Ecotoxicity and mineralization of the aqueous solutions, e) If needed, in the case of industrial wastewater, the combination between photocatalytic ozonation and biological oxidation.

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