Photocatalytic Degradation of Diisopropanolamine (DIPA) in Wastewater Under Visible Light

Amine-treatment has been hailed as a very efficient technology is gas
sweetening process. The use of aminoalcohols such as monoethanolamine (MEA),
diethanolamine (DEA) and diisopropanolamine (DIPA) have been significantly
increasing in gas processing plants. Spent aminoalcohols, that are discharged in
wastewater contributes to high COD level. Photocatalytic degradation is a highly
feasible method to degrade aminoalcohols in wastewater. In this project, the
photodegradation of DIPA using titanium dioxide as photocatalyst is studied. TiO2 is
synthesized using two different precursors; TTIP and TiCl4. TiO2 showed better
photoactivity in removal of DIPA and reduction of COD level. Reaction kinetic study
of the photocatalytic system with respect to DIPA concentration over time showed that
photocatalytic degradation of DIPA follows second order of reaction. With further
improvement and modification techniques, photocatalytic degradation will be a
breakthrough green, cost-effective technology for wastewater treatment containing
various organic compounds like amines, phenols and ionic liquids.