Parametric Study on the Photocatalytic Decolorization of Congo Red Dye Solution Under Solar Radiation Using a Parabolic Dish Solar Concentrator

Author : Lasam, Jonathan Poblette
Major Adviser : Arocena, Rhebner E.
Committee Members : Del Barrio, Marilyn C.; Movillon, Jovita L.
Year : 2015
Month : July
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract

The photocatalytic decolorization of Congo Red dye using titanium dioxide as catalyst was studied under two light conditions namely, plain solar radiation and concentrated solar radiation. Five parameters including the light source were varied, implementing the 2k full factorial design. Other parameters were catalyst loading, initial dye concentration, pH, and irradiation time. Results showed that the average percent decolorization of concentrated solar radiation (69.98%) was superior to that of plain solar radiation (25.05%) in the photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red dye. Utilizing analysis of variance, the significant main and interaction effects in the experiment were determined. The significant main effects under plain solar radiation were catalyst loading (positive), initial dye concentration (negative), pH (negative), and irradiation time (positive). Same significant main effects were observed under concentrated solar radiation with the exception of irradiation time. The significant interaction effects under plain solar radiation were catalyst loading – initial dye concentration interaction and catalyst loading – pH interaction. On the other hand, the only significant interaction effect under concentrated solar radiation was catalyst loading – pH interaction. The most influential factor under plain solar radiation was catalyst loading, while under concentrated solar radiation, it was initial dye concentration. A regression model was created to predict the theoretical percent decolorization based on this study.


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