Tailored activated carbons as catalysts in biodecolourisation of textile azo dyes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Gergo Mezohegyi (Author) Other; Filomena Gonc¸alves (Author) FEUP; José J. M. Orfão (Author) FEUP; Azael Fabregat (Author) Other; Augusti Fortuny (Author) Other; Josep Font (Author) Other; Christophe Bengoa (Author) Other; Frank Stuber (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Vol. 94

Pages: 179-185

ISSN: 0926-3373

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 35 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 15 Citations

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-97C

DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2009.11.007

Abstract (EN): Anaerobic reduction of two textile azo dyes (Orange II and Reactive Black 5) was investigated in upflow stirred packed-bed reactors (USPBRs) with biological activated carbon (BAC) system. The bioreactors were prepared with tailored activated carbons (ACs) having different textural properties and various surface chemistries. A kinetic model proposed previously was able to describe the catalytic azo reduction in all cases. Decolourisation with very high reduction rates took place in the case of each AC. Best dye removals were ensured by the AC having the highest surface area: conversion values above 88% were achieved in the case of both azo dyes at a space time of 0.23 min or higher, corresponding to a very short hydraulic residence time of about 0.30 min at the most. The decolourisation rates were found to be significantly influenced by the textural properties of AC and moderately affected by its surface chemistry. The results confirmed the catalytic effects of carbonyl/quinone sites and in addition, delocalized pi-electrons seemed to play a role in the catalytic reduction in the absence of surface oxygen groups.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7