Method for decomposing bromic acid by photocatalyst and apparatus therefor

An apparatus for decomposing bromate ions contained in a liquid, said apparatus comprising:

• a first section for generating therein a photocatalytic reaction to decompose said bromate ions;
• a photocatalyst adapted to be brought into contact with said liquid in said first section;
• and
• a light source for irradiating said photocatalyst with a light ray having an energy that is not lower than that of a band gap of said photocatalyst such that said photocatalytic reaction is generated in said first section when said photocatalyst is in contact with said liquid.

An apparatus for purifying a liquid containing bromide ions and/or bromate ions, said apparatus comprising:

• a first section for treating said liquid with ozone to remove an organic matter of said liquid and to sterilize said liquid;
• a second section for removing said ozone from said liquid, said second section being downstream of said first section such that said liquid is allowed to flow from said first section to said second section;
• a third section for generating therein a photocatalytic reaction, said third section being positioned downstream of said second section such that said liquid is allowed to flow from said second section to said third section;
• a photocatalyst adapted to be brought into contact with said liquid in said third section;
• and
• a light source for irradiating said photocatalyst with a light ray having an energy that is not lower than that of a band gap of said photocatalyst such that said photocatalytic reaction is generated in said third section when said photocatalyst is in contact with said liquid.

An apparatus for purifying a liquid containing bromide ions and/or bromate ions, said apparatus comprising:

• a first section for subjecting said liquid to an accelerated oxidation by an oxidizer to remove an organic matter of said liquid and to sterilize said liquid;
• a second section for generating therein a photocatalytic reaction, said second section being positioned downstream of said first section such that said liquid is allowed to flow from said first section to said second section;
• a photocatalyst adapted to be brought into contact with said liquid in said second section;
• and
• a light source for irradiating said photocatalyst with a light ray having an energy that is not lower than that of a band gap of said photocatalyst such that said photocatalytic reaction is generated in said second section when said photocatalyst is in contact with said liquid.

An apparatus for purifying a liquid containing bromide ions and/or bromate ions, said apparatus comprising:

• a first section for treating said liquid with ozone to remove a first organic matter of said liquid and to sterilize said liquid;
• a second section for subjecting said liquid to an accelerated oxidation by an oxidizer to remove a second organic matter of said liquid and to further sterilize said liquid, said second section being positioned downstream of said first section such that said liquid is allowed to flow from said first section to said second section;
• a third section for generating therein a photocatalytic reaction, said third section being positioned downstream of said second section such that said liquid is allowed to flow from said second section to said third section;
• a photocatalyst adapted to be brought into contact with said liquid in said third section;
• and
• a light source for irradiating said photocatalyst with a light ray having an energy that is not lower than that of a band gap of said photocatalyst such that said photocatalytic reaction is generated in said third section when said photocatalyst is in contact with said liquid.

An apparatus for purifying a liquid containing bromide ions and/or bromate ions, said apparatus comprising:

• a first section for removing carbonic acid from said liquid, said first section comprising (1) a first means for adjusting pH of said liquid to allow said removing and (2) a second means for introducing a gas into said liquid to allow said removing;
• a second section for subjecting said liquid to an accelerated oxidation by an oxidizer to remove an organic matter of said liquid and to sterilize said liquid, said second section being positioned downstream of said first section such that said liquid is allowed to flow from said first section to said second section;
• a third section for generating therein a photocatalytic reaction, said third section being positioned downstream of said second section such that said liquid is allowed to flow from said second section to said third section;
• a photocatalyst adapted to be brought into contact with said liquid in said third section;
• and
• a light source for irradiating said photocatalyst with a light ray having an energy that is not lower than that of a band gap of said photocatalyst such that said photocatalytic reaction is generated in said third section when said photocatalyst is in contact with said liquid.

An apparatus for decomposing bromate ions contained in a liquid, said apparatus comprising:

• a section for generating therein a photocatalytic reaction to decompose said bromate ions;
• a photocatalyst adapted to be brought into contact with said liquid in said section, said photocatalyst comprising at least one metal oxide including titanium and a metal having an electronegativity lower than that of titanium such that said photocatalyst has an isoelectric point of at least about 7;
• and
• a light source for irradiating said photocatalyst with a light ray having an energy that is not lower than that of a band gap of said photocatalyst such that said photocatalytic reaction is generated in said section when said photocatalyst is in contact with said liquid.