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6399198 
Journal Article 
Development of a new PET flow reactor applied to food dyes removal with advanced oxidative processes 
de Lima, LF; Maciel, CC; Ferreira, AL; de Almeida, JC; Do Nascimento Junior, WJ; Aquino, RVS; Barbosa, AA; Rocha, OR 
2019 
31 
WOS:000485817000024 
Scientists have been exploring new sustainable alternatives in effluent treatment due to the growing concern with highly stable organic pollutants. In this work, a photocatalytic flow reactor was developed from Poli Ethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles in order to optimise photocatalysis of two synthetic dyes commonly found in food industry wastewater. Four different photo-oxidative systems were tested within 360 min under UV-C radiation. The best results were obtained in a UV-C/H2O2 /TiO2 system due to the synergic effect of the oxidizing agents. The influence of the oxidizing agent's amounts was investigated in a 2(2) experimental planning and 99.25% of dyes degradation could be reached in 180 min. A kinetic study was carried out with these results and the kinetic rate for the global reaction was estimated at 0.016 min(-1) and half-life reaction time at 43.32 min applying the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Acute toxicity assays revealed the IC50 increased 165.8% after the treatment indicating the by-products were less toxic than the parental compounds. TOC and COD were evaluated as water quality parameters and decreased from 40.50 and 103.4 mg L-1 to 8.25 and 15.0 mg L-1 after the photocatalytic process, respectively. Cost analysis of the construction and operation expenses and removal efficiency presented the developed PET flow reactor as a feasible alternative to the treatment of synthetic organic dyes.< 
Advanced oxidation processes; Photocatalytic reactor; Reactor design; Food dyes; PET applications