Experimental study of wastewater micropollutant removal by solar photo-Fenton using a virtual lab

Abstract

New technologies are providing opportunities for the design of novel educational methodologies. Virtual laboratories can simulate real conditions, thus reducing the workload of teachers and students, and removing the costs associated with laboratory or pilot plant tests. The present work describes the creation of a virtual and interactive lab using the Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJsS) 6.0 tool. The solar photo-Fenton process for the degradation of the Acetamiprid pesticide (ACTM) as a micropollutant model in wastewater was implemented in discontinuous mode in a stirred tank reactor (STR) and in continuous mode in a raceway pond reactor (RPR). The objective was to achieve a virtual tool that would allow easy, intuitive connection to different devices (laptops, tablets, and smartphones), simplifying the difficulties related to teaching technology. This contribution details the design and implementation process of the model for its use as support material for theoretical classes. The virtual tool presented in this article is an example of how the EJsS platform can be used to teach dynamics systems in chemical engineering.