5. Photocatalytic Experiments
The experiments were carried out under solar radiation in
the Sultan Qaboos University campus. The radiation was
measured by a radiometer (model Sunaay). The average
solar radiation intensity varied from 46 mW/cm2 to 75
mW/cm2 from 08:30 AM to 02:30 PM in the month of
July-August and from 8 mW/cm2 to 68 mW/cm2 from
08:30 AM to 02:30 PM in the month of January-February
in Oman for the year 2011-2012. A 5-litre sample of
wastewater was used for the experiments.
The first set of experiments was performed without
any dilution of the waste water. 1 g·L−1 of TiO2 was dissolved
in the waste water. After allowing it to settle
down, the effluent was transferred for the experimental
use. The effluent was re-circulated through the reactor
system for a period of 5 hours starting from 09:30 AM.
The sample was taken after every 1 hour for parameter
analysis. The second and third sets of experiments were
performed with 25% dilution and 50% dilution respectively.