Nano-structured titanium dioxide microsphere for humic acid removal in water

• Main Author: Lee, Pei Fung
• Other Authors: Sun Delai, Darren
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Environmental engineering::Water treatment
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/41183
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Natural organic matter (NOM) is always a key issue in water treatment. It does not only cause color, odor and taste problems but also forms halogenated by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs) during chlorine disinfection process. Adsorption is often used as an individual separation process to minimize the presence of NOM, particularly humic acid (HA), a subclass of NOM in water. Various adsorbents such as activated carbon and metal oxides have been reported to adsorb HA in water. The adsorption process in removing HA from water by TiO2 has gained attention due to its high adsorption capactiy, self regeneration, non-toxicity, high oxidation strength, high chemical stability and inexpensiveness. However, the use of commercial TiO2 in a suspension water treatment system has many limitations: physically unstable in aqueous phase and, difficulty in separation and recovery.