Photocatalytic degradation of high ammonia concentration water solutions by TiO2

Recent studies reported the use of suspended TiO2 powder as photo catalyst in the degradation process of several organic and inorganic substances in water, like chlorinated hydrocarbons, alkyl- and alkanoloammines and ammonia. In order to evaluate the possibility of using this method for a further removal of ammonia from wastewater after a biological nitrification/denitrification treatment, a kinetic study of photo oxidation over TiO2 of NH3/NH4 in the high concentration range of 26 - 214 mg/I, has been carried out. Effects of pH, TiO2, ammonium and dissolved O2 concentration on the degradation efficiency and reaction products distribution (NO2-, NO3- e N2) were studied. The results have shown that, at a catalyst concentration of 0.012% (p/v), the photo catalytic oxidation of ammonia can be described with the Langumuir- Hinshelwood kinetic model, as reported by several authors.