(438e) Evaluation of the Photo Catalytic Degradation of Organic Contaminants Present in Residual Waters Used in the Cleaning of Impression Cartridges Via a TiO2 Catalyst Supported On Activated Carbon

An investigation of photo-catalytical degradation to organic pollutants present in waste waters used in the cleaning of ink in impression cartridges was carried out. In order to accomplish this degradation a titanium dioxide (TiO2-Degussa) supported on activated carbon (TiO2-AC) photo-catalyst was manufactured, so as to allow the organic dissolved species to easily contact the ions and free radicals generated by the oxidizing species exposed to UV light throughout the reactor. The composite particles of TiO2 and activated carbon were prepared using methylene chloride and liquid silicon to generate one dispersion with TiO2 which diffuses into the AC granules for a period of 20 hours at 298K, followed by an hour of thermal treatment at 373K. An advanced catalytic oxidation process was preformed with the aim of determining the photo-catalytic reaction kinetics of the CMYK inks found in the impression cartridges. An accurate kinetic model was developed by measuring the concentration of the oxidizing agent and the organic pollutants at different time intervals along the process and determining the effects of initial pollutant and oxidizing agent concentrations. Finally, to corroborate the degradation a chemical oxygen demand test (COD) was carried out to evaluate the reduction of organic water pollutants after treatment in the photo-catalytic-reactor. Additionally, a Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrum analysis was carried out to, both, the starting ink-water sample and the reactor effluent to determine the presence of major organic functionalities, and explore possible means to improve the photo-catalytic degradation process developed.