Acta Scientiarum: Technology (Apr 2016)

<b>Photodegradation of sugarcane vinasse: evaluation of the effect of vinasse pre-treatment and the crystalline phase of TiO<sub>2</sub>

  • Renata Padilha de Souza,
  • Ana Maria Ferrari Lima,
  • Osvaldo Pezoti,
  • Veronice Sluzarski Santana,
  • Marcelino Luiz Gimenez,
  • Nádia Regina C. Fernandes-Machado

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4025/actascitechnol.v38i2.27440
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 38, no. 2
pp. 217 – 226

Abstract

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In this work, photocatalysis was employed in the treatment of vinasse using TiO2 and UV light. The parameters investigated were: TiO2 phases (anatase and rutile) and vinasse pre-treatments (coagulation/flocculation and dilution). The TiO2 catalysts employed were: Kronos without thermal treatment (100% anatase), calcined at 1000°C (33.5% anatase) and immobilized on glass slides (100% anatase); and P25 Degussa without thermal treatment (86.6% anatase). The results showed that natural coagulant removed about 50, 85 and 97% of COD, color and turbidity, respectively. However, pre-treatment followed by photocatalysis with TiO2 87% anatase removed 67% of COD within 48h of irradiation. Bioassays with Artemia salina confirmed the efficacy of the methodology. The treatments reduced the toxicity of vinasse by up to 10 times.

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