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Title: Photocatalysis for the treatment of waste water: Applications involving the removal of metals

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10156952

This paper describes laboratory work investigating the applicability of solar-powered photocatalysis for the treatment of water contaminated with heavy metals and organics. It was found that Ag(I), Au (HI), Cr(VI), Hg(H), Pd(H), and PT(IV) are easily treated while Cd(U), Cu(II), and NI(II) are not. The importance of the entire photocatalytic redox cycle is demonstrated by showing that the rates of oxidation (of organics) and reduction (of metals) are intrinsically interrelated. Data are presented showing that photoefficiency decreases as light intensity increases in the range of 0 to 17 suns UV. This result suggests that one-sun systems are more efficient than those using concentrated solar radiation. Preliminary data for three samples of actual waste: (1) gold mining leachate, (2) precious metals mining extract, and (3) photographic waste, are described. In general, actual applications are less effective than predicted using laboratory data for clean systems.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
10156952
Report Number(s):
SAND-93-0023C; CONF-930830-14; ON: DE93011669
Resource Relation:
Conference: National conference and exposition on heat transfer,Atlanta, GA (United States),8-11 Aug 1993; Other Information: PBD: [1993]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English