LAUSR

In this study, three‐phase fluidized bed equipment for the solar photocatalysis–membrane separation (E‐SPME), comprising solar photocatalytic degradation and membrane separation zones, was first introduced, and the photocatalytic degradation of acid red B wastewater (ARBW) with a TiO2 photocatalyst was investigated using the E‐SPME. The experimental results indicated the circulating flow of wastewater between the two zones and the increase in the ARBW photocatalytic degradation efficiency with decreasing membrane flux. The same experimental phenomenon was observed with the change in the aeration rate in the lower water tank from 0.10 to 0.40 m3 h−1, but the degradation efficiency started to decrease with further increase in the aeration rate to 0.50 m3 h−1. The degradation efficiency on a clear day was greater than that on a cloudy day; however, it was significantly improved with the opened UV lamps on a cloudy day. The steady operation of the E‐SPME was still possible by the opening of the UV lamps on completely cloudy and clear days with a solar light intensity of <13.0 W m−2.