Photocatalytic treatment of soft drink industry wastewater using supported/ immobilized nanophotocatalysts

Abstract

Soft drink industries demand a huge quantum of freshwater for soft drink production as well as other activities involved in manufacturing such as bottle washing, floor cleaning, cooling, etc. The wastewater produced at the end of these operations is very complex and organic in nature as a result of the use of numerous chemicals throughout those processes. Various biological treatment technologies have been employed for soft drink industry wastewater (SDIW) treatment; however, their application is often limited due to long treatment time, inefficient removal of bio-refractory compounds and maintaining control over process factors such as pH, temperature as well as high operating cost, require controlled operating conditions and in certain cases post-treatment. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) provide a promising solution for complete and efficient degradation of many organic and inorganic contaminants, including bio-refractory compounds, to give non-toxic end products. Photocatalysis is one of such AOPs, which can ensure complete mineralization of organic contaminants with lesser reaction time and non-toxic by-products. Modification of photocatalyst through doping, combining semiconductors and supporting on suitable materials further increases photocatalytic activity with added advantages like recovery and reusability of photocatalyst after treatment. This chapter aims to discuss the suitability of photocatalysis for the treatment of SDIW using supported/ immobilized nanocatalysts, the contaminant degradation mechanism involved as well as methods to enhance the efficiency of the photocatalytic system. � The Author(s). All rights reserved.