Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2015ME309B

Toward a more efficient UV disinfection system: The development of a TiO2-based photocatalyst to enhance the degradation of taste and odor compounds in drinking water

Institute: Maine
Year Established: 2015 Start Date: 2015-04-01 End Date: 2016-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $28,930 Total Non-Federal Funds: $60,535

Principal Investigators: Aria Amirbahman, John Peckenham

Project Summary: The proposed project will develop and test a series of immobilized titanium dioxide- (TiO2-) based photocatalysts that are suitable for use in UV disinfection systems for drinking water treatment. Existing UV systems rely solely on direct photolysis for the inactivation of microorganisms, especially Cryptosporidium and Giardia; however, direct UV photolysis is not as effective for the removal of taste- and odor-causing compounds or inactivation of most viruses. UV illumination of a TiO2-based catalyst leads to the production of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, producing a UV disinfection process that is significantly enhanced by its ability to remove taste- and odor-causing compounds while also destroying certain water born viruses.