https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2020.060
Published: Kem. Ind. 70 (5-6) (2021) 275–292
Paper reference number: KUI-60/2020
Paper type: Review
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Intensification of Photocatalytic Processes for Water and Wastewater Treatment

I. E. Zelić, V. Gilja, I. Grčić and V. Tomašić

Abstract

The global economic crisis that has been reigning in the last decade has once again encouraged thinking about the need for “reindustrialization”. Reindustrialization is an economic, social, environmental, and political process of managing national resources in order to revitalize industry and other economic activities, relying on the development and application of new and innovative technologies. Chemical engineering thereby has a crucial role. According to many scientists, the reindustrialization and development of the “industry for the future” will be based on three key areas: preservation and remediation of the environment, saving energy and encouraging the development of renewable energy sources, and protecting human health. This also highlights the need to adapt the higher education system to new industrial and economic challenges. Today, we are confronted more and more with achievements that go beyond the framework of “traditional” chemical engineering, which are mainly based on the application of a new approach known as process intensification. Scientists and engineers are intensely working on discovering new process devices and techniques, making a major step forward by enabling the development of integrated, safer, more energy efficient, and environmentally friendly technologies. Due to scientific advancement and growing public interest, process intensification is gradually starting to stand out as a new discipline within chemical engineering. Due to the scope of this issue, this paper illustrates some examples of advanced photocatalytic reactors developed using process intensification methodology, including rotating disk/drum photocatalytic reactors, microreactors, membrane reactors (with suspended and immobilized photocatalyst), optical fibre ceramic monoliths, and some representatives of the solar reactors. Research in this area represents a major challenge considering the possibility of application of such systems in solving global environmental problems, primarily those related to water and wastewater treatment, including the removal of persistent organic compounds and pathogenic microorganisms from water resources.

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Keywords

process intensification, photocatalytic process, water treatment, advanced oxidation processes, reactor designs