Evaluating E. coli degradation using a rotatory disk photoreactor

Degradation of the bacterium E. coli was studied using a rotatory disk photoreactor manufactured in stainless steel to ascertain this photoreaction system’s behavior in different operating conditions. The photoreactor was equipped with 6 black light bulbs (BLB) used as a source of UV light and fitted with 7 removable disks made of common frosted glass impregnated with TiO2 photocatalyzer which were coupled to a rotation system. TiO2 was impregnated on the disks using the sol-gel method varying molar precursor gel ratios. Abrasion resistance, disk adhesion and surface uniformity tests were carried out for selecting the film presenting the best characteristics. Bacterial photodegradation studies were carried out using the following variable parameters: the disks’ rotation speed, radiation intensity and the number of discs which were directly related to the concentration of photocatalyzer in the system. Up to 64.3% degradation was achieved in 4 hours using 7 disks, low intensity and low rotation speed.