William A. Jacoby

Application of the Photocatalytic Chemistry of Titanium Dioxide to Disinfection and the Killing of Cancer Cells

Abstract This article will review the work that has been published on disinfection and the killing of cancer cells using photocatalytic chemistry with titanium dioxide (TiO2). This is an application of photocatalytic chemistry that has been under active investigation since 1985. Because the nature of the research is such that it brings together disparate disciplines, this review provides background on photocatalytic chemistry, fundamental characteristics of target organisms, potential applications, and the toxicology of titanium dioxide. Literature identified in searches done through September 1998 is included.

Exploration of the effect of process variables on the production of high-value fuel gas from glucose via supercritical water gasification

A new continuous supercritical water gasification reactor was designed to investigate glucose gasification in supercritical water at high temperatures and low residence times. A 2(3) full factorial experiment was performed to determine the effects of feed concentration, temperature, and residence time on glucose gasification. The temperature levels (750°C and 800°C) were higher than ever used, while the residence times (4 and 6.5s) were shorter than ever used in previous supercritical water gasification studies. The reactor proved capable of attaining higher gasification rates than previously shown with high efficiencies and yields. In addition, the glucose gasification reaction was modeled by estimating activation energy and reaction order of glucose gasification in supercritical water.

Exploration of the gasification of Spirulina algae in supercritical water.

This study presents non-catalytic gasification of Spirulina algae in supercritical water using a plug flow reactor and a mechanism for feeding solid carbon streams into high pressure (>25 MPa) environments. A 2(III)(3-1) factorial experimental design explored the effect of concentration, temperature, and residence time on gasification reactions. A positive displacement pump fed algae slurries into the reactor at a temperature range of 550-600°C, and residence times between 4 and 9s. The results indicate that algae gasify efficiently in supercritical water, highlighting the potential for a high throughput process. Additional experiments determined Arrhenius parameters of Spirulina algae. This study also presents a model of the gasification reaction using the estimated activation energy (108 kJ/mol) and other Arrhenius parameters at plug flow conditions. The maximum rate of gasification under the conditions studied of 53 g/Ls is much higher than previously reported.

Effect of Process Variables on Photosynthetic Algal Hydrogen Production

Chlamydomonas reinhardti i is a green alga that can use the sunapos;s energy to split water into O2 and H2. This is accomplished by means of a two‐phase cycle, an aerobic growth phase followed by an anaerobic hydrogen production phase. The effects of process variables on hydrogen production are examined here. These variables include cell concentration, light intensity, and reactor design parameters that affect light transport and mixing. An optimum cell concentration and light intensity are identified, and two reactor designs are compared. The maximum hydrogen production observed in this study was 0.29 mL of hydrogen per milliliter of suspension. This was measured at atmospheric pressure during a 96 h production cycle. This corresponds to an average hydrogen production rate of 0.12 mmol/mL·h.

Microfibrous Mesh Coated with Titanium Dioxide: A Self-Sterilizing, Self-Cleaning Filter

Abstract The utility of metal microfibrous mesh coated with titanium dioxide as a self-sterilizing, self-cleaning filter for air is explored. The low-cost mesh is produced via a roll-to-roll process similar to paper manufacturing. The titanium dioxide is applied by spraying an aqueous suspension of the photocatalyst on the surface of the mesh using an airbrush. Photocatalytic activity comparable to a powder layer is achieved at one quarter of the mass loading. The coating enhanced the separation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from aqueous suspension, but also led to an increase in pressure drop in an air stream flowing through the mesh. The self-cleaning property of the coated mesh is established by recovery of pressure drop performance lost due to biofilm buildup. This is accomplished via a photocatalytic regeneration process involving exposing the mesh to ultraviolet light in air. Oxidation is confirmed by monitoring CO2 evolution during the regeneration. Scanning electron photomicrographs also provide visual evidence of successful regeneration via photocatalysis.

Rate determination of supercritical water gasification of primary sewage sludge as a replacement for anaerobic digestion.

Supercritical water gasification of primary sewage sludge sampled from a local facility was undertaken at different solids content. The performance of the process was compared with the anaerobic digestion system in use at the facility where the samples were taken. The mass and composition of the vapor products documented showed that the process generates more energy per gram of feed while rapidly destroying more volatile solids relative to the anaerobic digestion process. However, the energy input requirements are greater for supercritical water gasification. This study defines parameters for a model of the gasification reaction using the power law and Arrhenius equation. The activation energy was estimated to be 15 kJ/mol, and the reaction order was estimated to be 0.586. This model allows estimation of the size of a supercritical water reactor needed to replace the anaerobic digesters that are currently used at the wastewater treatment plant.

Study of process variables in supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of soybeans

Soybean flakes were extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide at 48.3 MPa and 80 ℃, which is a higher temperature than previously reported. Several operational parameters were explored to determine their effect on extractions. Flakes, as typically used in this industry, provided the best extraction performance. Particle size distributions were created through grinding. Reducing average particle diameters smaller than 0.069 mm had no appreciable effect on increasing extraction efficiencies. Exploration of flow rate indicated that a residence time of less than 60 s for the supercritical carbon dioxide would be sufficient for complete extractions. A solvent mass to load mass ratio of 10:1 was found to be sufficient for extraction of oils from soybean flakes. Increasing moisture in the soybeans led to decreasing extraction efficiency of oils. Finally, soybean hulls had no effect on extraction efficiency. Thus, the de-hulling procedure can be removed from the extraction process without decreasing extraction efficiency.

Deactivation of Titanium Dioxide Photocatalyst by Oxidation of Polydimethylsiloxane and Silicon Sealant Off-Gas in a Recirculating Batch Reactor

Abstract We have studied deactivation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst by oxidation of polydimethylsiloxane and silicone sealant off-gas in a recirculating batch reactor. Polydimethylsiloxane vapor is a model indoor air pollutant. It does not adsorb strongly on TiO2 in the dark, but undergoes oxidation when the ultraviolet (UV) photons are also present. Commercial silicone (room-temperature vulcanizing) sealant off-gas is an actual indoor air pollutant subject to short-term spikes in concentration. It does adsorb on the TiO2 surface in the dark, but UV photons also catalyze its oxidation. The oxidation of the Si-containing vapors was monitored using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope equipped with a gas cell. Subsequent to each incremental exposure, a hexane oxidation reaction was performed to track the titania catalyst’s activity. The exposures were repeated until substantial deactivation was achieved. We have also documented the regenerative effect of washing the catalyst surface with water. Surface science techniques were used to view the topography of the catalyst and to identify the elements causing the deactivation. Procedural observations of interest in the context of our recirculating batch reactor include the following: the rate of oxidation of hexane was used to assess the activity of a photocatalyst sample; hexane is an appropriate choice of a probe molecule because it does not adsorb in the dark and it undergoes photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) completely, forming CO2; and hexane does not deactivate the photocatalyst surface.

A Comparison of the Activity of Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysts for the Oxidation of Ethanol in Air

Abstract The complete photocatalytic oxidation of ethanol vapor in air was examined using a variety of commercially available and experimental photocatalysts. The experiments were conducted in a recirculating batch reactor equipped with a porous frit for support of the powdered photocatalysts. The maximum carbon dioxide production rate was measured as a function catalyst loading. One commercial sample marginally exceeded the performance of the “gold-standard” photocatalyst, Degussa P-25. Overall, significant improvements in photocatalytic activity relative to Degussa P-25 were not observed among the catalysts considered.