The use of waste SNCR catalysts to produce a nano-TiO2 photo-catalyst and to degrade wastewater from the dye making industry

This study recycles titanium dioxide (TiO2) that is contained in waste selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) catalysts using acid or alkali. The waste SNCR is then filtered, baked, ground and calcined to form a photo-catalytic powder. The nano-TiO2 photo-catalysts that are obtained using both processes are then tested and compared. The two TiO2 photo-catalysts that are produced from waste SNCR catalysts have a diameter of 30–40 nm. Energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) are used to determine the elemental composition of TiO2 and X-ray diffraction (XRD) is used to determine the crystalline phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to determine the surface morphology, the structure and the particle size. The effect of placing porous TiO2 in a suspension is also determined. This study demonstrates the production of a photo-catalyst from an SNCR catalyst and its effect in advanced oxidation processes (AOP). When everdirect supra turquoise blue (FBL) dye wastewater is degraded in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) /TiO2, more than 90% of the total oxidizable carbon (TOC) is removed.