The objective of this project was to study and evaluate the treatment efficiency of a reactor that utilized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles immobilized on glass beads in both a fixed and fluidized bed configuration. The degradation of the organic contaminant, methylene blue (MB), was evaluated with a UV-vis spectrophotometer. Results suggested that the inter-particle forces acting between coated glass beads in a fluidized bed exceeded the bond strength of the nanopowder coating and thus detached. Conversely in a fixed bed, with a lower fluid flow rate, results showed a steady reduction in MB concentration over time when the immobilized TiO2 was exposed to UV irradiation. This degradation was found to perform at a rate much higher than the rate of UV exposure without TiO2 present.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Brooks, Cody Peder

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-012914-131721

Advisor

• Hart, Frederick L.
• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2014

Date created

• 2014-01-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Environmental Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Última modificação

• 2021-01-28