Tzayam Pérez

Simulations of a Single-Phase Flow in a Compound Parabolic Concentrator Reactor

This paper deals with the analysis and interpretation of flow visualization and residence time distribution (RTD) in a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) reactor using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). CFD was calculated under turbulent flow conditions solving the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equation expressed in terms of turbulent viscosity and the standard k−e turbulent model in 3D. A 3D diffusion-convection model was implemented in the CPC reactor to determine the RTD. The fluid flow visualization and RTD were validated with experimental results. The CFD showed that the magnitude of the velocity field remains almost uniform in most of the bulk reactor, although near and inside the 90° connectors and the union segments, the velocity presented low- and high-speed zones. Comparisons of theoretical and experimental RTD curves showed that the k−e model is appropriate to simulate the nonideal flow inside the CPC reactor under turbulent flow conditions.

Comparative study for degradation of industrial dyes by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes with BDD anode in a laboratory stirred tank reactor

Comparative degradation of the industrial dyes Blue BR, Violet SBL and Brown MF 50 mg L-1 has been studied by the electrochemical oxidation (EOx), electro-Fenton (EF), photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) process based on BDD electrode. Each dye was tested in 0.05 mM Na2SO4 with 0.5 mM Fe2+ at pH 3.0, and electrolyzed in a stirred tank reactor under galvanostatic conditions with 2.0, 5.0, 7.0, 11.0 and 18.0 mA cm-2. Dyes were oxidized via hydroxyl radicals (OH) formed at the BDD anode from water oxidation coupled with Fentons reaction cathodically produced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Under Na2SO4 medium close to 100% the decolorization was achieved. Through the color abatement rate the dyes behavior was analyzed at the beginning of the oxidation process. Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) was tested to evaluate the degradation. From DOC removal, it was established an increasing relative oxidation power of the EOx < EF < PEF, according with their decolorization trend. This study highlights the potential of the electrochemical/BDD process for the degradation of industrial dyes found in wastewaters under appropriate experimental conditions.