Introduction: The over use of surfactants, detergents and their draining
have always been a problem for preserving water resources. Surfactants’ physical and chemical properties, especially their poor biodegradability, made them resistant to biological
treatments. The aim of the present study was to assess
the efficiency of titanium dioxide photocatalytic activity in removing anionic
surfactant from the sewage water. Materials and Methods: The research was performed
using a Basic – applied method. The batch experiment was conducted by using a Photocatalytic reactor in the Environmental Health Research
Center, Kerman University within the period of October – December 2013. The Performance of photo catalysis for the
removal of anionic surfactant was assessed with variables such as, nano
particles (0.25-1.5 g/L), PH (5-7-9), surfactant concentration, and UV
irradiation time. Premiere experiments were conducted on synthetic wastewater
and under the optimal condition they were continued with samples of real
solutions. Surfactant was measured by spectrophotometer. Results: The maximum
removal efficiency (95 %) was achieved with synthetic solution under the optimal conditions of pH =5, nano particle
0.75g/L, initial concentration of surfactant 100mg/L and 60min exposure time. The activity process followed Langmuir -
Hinshelwood kinetics. The removal process with real solutions (wastewater
beverage chime) failed to 74% under the optimal conditions. Conclusion: Study showed the high efficiency of photocatalytic processing for the
removal of soluble synthetic anionic surfactant under optimal conditions.
The efficiency was much lower when used with real-solutions
and high anionic surfactant concentrations
momenzadeh R, Malakootian M, Yaghmaeian K. Efficiency of titanium dioxide photocatalytic activity in removing anionic surfactant of sodium dodecyl sulfate from waste water. Koomesh 1394; 16 (4) :648-654 URL: http://koomeshjournal.semums.ac.ir/article-1-2552-en.html