Application of Magnetic Separation in Catalyst Reuse Applied in Paracetamol Degradation
Jessica R. P. Oliveira,
Eduardo Abreu,
Maria E. K. Fuziki,
Elaine T. de Paula,
Michel Z. Fidelis,
Rodrigo Brackmann,
Angelo M. Tusset,
Odivaldo C. Alves,
Giane G. Lenzi
Affiliations
Jessica R. P. Oliveira
Department of Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Paraná-Rua Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire, 330, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil
Eduardo Abreu
Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Maringá, Colombo Ave. 5790, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Maria E. K. Fuziki
Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Maringá, Colombo Ave. 5790, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Elaine T. de Paula
Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Paraná-Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire St., 330, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil
Michel Z. Fidelis
Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Maringá, Colombo Ave. 5790, Maringá 87020-900, Brazil
Rodrigo Brackmann
Department of Chemical, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Via do Conhecimento, s/n—km 01, Pato Branco 85503-390, Brazil
Angelo M. Tusset
Department of Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Paraná-Rua Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire, 330, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil
Odivaldo C. Alves
Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal Fluminense University, R. Outeiro de S. J. Batista s/n, Niterói 24020-150, Brazil
Giane G. Lenzi
Department of Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology-Paraná, Paraná-Rua Doutor Washington Subtil Chueire, 330, Ponta Grossa 84017-220, Brazil
This work presents an investigation of the degradation of paracetamol via heterogeneous photocatalysis, aiming to magnetically immobilize the catalyst in a continuous process. Catalyst immobilization was conducted on aggregated flower-like structures. The CoFe2O4@Nb5O2 catalyst was characterized using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The effects of the magnetic immobilization of the catalyst, flow, residence time, adsorption, and photolysis were evaluated. Additionally, catalyst reuse cycles were analyzed. The results indicated that a longer residence time favors the degradation of paracetamol due to the increase in the contact time of the effluent catalyst. At a flow rate of 20 mL·min−1, a degradation of 27% was obtained. Photolysis and adsorption tests indicated that residence time was not an important factor for paracetamol degradation. For the photolysis test, in the first cycle, the values obtained were in the range of 6.0–8.5%. The adsorption results indicated ~10% removal.
