초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for mineralizing organic contaminants in water or air provides photochemical oxidation in a two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in the pores of a TiO.sub.2 membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In the three-phase system, gaseous (liquid) oxidant, liquid (gaseous) c

A method and apparatus for mineralizing organic contaminants in water or air provides photochemical oxidation in a two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in the pores of a TiO.sub.2 membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In the three-phase system, gaseous (liquid) oxidant, liquid (gaseous) contaminant, and solid semiconductor photocatalyst meet and engage in an efficient oxidation reaction. The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter of water to that of a capillary tube resulting in a diffusion layer that is several orders of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors. The photocatalytic reactor operates effectively at ambient temperature and low pressures. A packed-bed photoreactor using photocatalyst coated particles is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for oxidizing organic contaminants, comprising:a substrate having a photocatalytic surface,a fluid cell in communication with the photocatalytic surface of the substrate, the fluid cell comprising an ultraviolet transmission surface positioned to expose the p

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for oxidizing organic contaminants, comprising:a substrate having a photocatalytic surface,a fluid cell in communication with the photocatalytic surface of the substrate, the fluid cell comprising an ultraviolet transmission surface positioned to expose the photocatalytic surface to ultraviolet light, an oxidant inlet, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid cell is generally flat; andan ultraviolet light source adjacent to the ultraviolet transmission surface.