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1587467 
Journal Article 
Evaluation of Photon Absorption in an Aqueous TiO2 Slurry Reactor Using Monte Carlo Simulations and Macroscopic Balance 
Moreira, J; Serrano, B; Ortiz, A; de Lasa, H 
2010 
Yes 
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
ISSN: 0888-5885
EISSN: 1520-5045 
49 
21 
10524-10534 
WOS:000283463600042 
The radiation field in an annular photocatalytic reactor is
simulated using a Monte Carlo method (MC) for two TiO2 suspensions in water. Simulations are
performed by using both the spectral distribution and the wavelength-averaged scattering and
absorption coefficients. The Henyey-Greenstein phase function is adopted to represent forward,
isotropic, and backward scattering modes. It is assumed that the UV lamp reflects the
backscattered photons by the slurred medium. Photoabsorption rates using MC simulations and
spectral distribution of the optical coefficients agree closely with experimental observations
from a macroscopic balance. It is found that the scattering mode of the probability density
function is not a critical factor for a consistent representation of the radiation field. MC
simulation for the optimal catalyst concentration reveals that the maximum LVREA is reached at a
concentration of 0.14 g L-1 for TiO2 Degussa P25. From this concentration, the apparent optical
thickness is determined to be 2.8476 which is in agreement with the optimal one previously
reported. This concentration is comparable to that determined experimentally for phenol
photocatalytic degradation.