Photocatalytic treatment of dimethoate by solar photocatalysis at pilot plant scale.

Titanium dioxide photocatalysis, using 200 mgl⁻¹ of TiO₂, and photo-Fenton, using 20 mg l⁻¹ of iron, were applied to the treatment of dimethoate dissolved in water at 50 mg l⁻¹. A heterogeneous photocatalysis test was performed in a 35-l solar pilot plant with Compound Parabolic Collectors (CPCs) under natural illumination. A homogeneous photocatalysis test was performed in a different solar pilot plant with four CPC units and a total volume of 75 l. In this work total disappearance of dimethoate and 90% of mineralization were attained in both solar treatments. Treatment time, hydrogen peroxide consumption and ferric phosphate precipitation during photo-Fenton treatment were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]