Solar nanophotocatalytic pretreatment of seawater: process optimization and performance evaluation using response surface methodology and genetic algorithm

Abstract In reverse osmosis seawater treatment process, membrane fouling can be mitigated by degrading organic pollutants present in the feed seawater. The study evaluates effectiveness of employing solar photocatalysis using TiO 2 /ZnO/H O to pretreat (RO) under irradiation. Process optimisation and performance evaluation were undertaken response surface methodology-desirability function RSM integrated with genetic algorithm (RSM-GA). Statistical analysis was performed determine interactive relationships main effects input factors such as dosage, H pH, reaction time ZnO dosage. determined terms percentage removal total carbon (TOC) chemical oxygen demand (COD). obtained optimum values RSM-GA for TOC COD found 76.5% 63.9%, respectively. predicted results correspond well experimental (TOC = 73.3%, 61.2%). Utilization renewable energy coupled utilisation nanophotocatalysts enables this technique a unique process RO pretreatment mitigation.