| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for the purification of contaminated fluids by photocatalytic treatment. In accordance with the invention, an oxidation state where contaminant molecules are oxidized and/or a reduction state where contaminant molecules are reduced are employed to purify a contaminated fluid. The reduction state, where certain contaminant molecules are reduced, is induced by providing a reactant, such as citric acid, in the presence of an excited photocatalyst. A reduction state may alternate to an oxidation state, where contaminant molecules are oxidized, by the addition of an oxidizing agent, such as oxygen. |