The objective of this project was to study the degradation and removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from water utilizing three phases of titania photocatalysts, anatase, rutile, and anatase/rutile, and two different ultra violet light sources. The light sources included a mercury lamp (254 nm) and light emitting diodes, or LEDs (360 nm). The concentration of CIP remaining after treatment over time was quantified using a UV spectrophotometer. The results showed that both treatment methods were capable of removing high concentrations of CIP from water. Anatase phase titania appeared to be the best performing photocatalyst. Experiments also showed that CIP had an affinity for adsorption to each titania phase. Treatment was performed with low power supply under bench scale batch conditions.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Fogarty, Chelsea Anne

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-031113-111529

Advisor

• Thompson, Robert W.
• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2013

Sponsor

• Aerodyne Research Inc.

Date created

• 2013-03-11

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-01-28