Simultaneous photocatalytic reduction of poisonous Cr(VI) and Ni(II) ions, coupled with photocatalytic oxidation of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) were studied with a trace amount of commercial titania nanoparticles and by means of a direct-photo-irradiation reactor. The co-presence of metal ions and SDBS causes metal ions reduction as well as SOBS oxidation to enhance and energy efficiency to improve. XRD, XPS and FTIR analysis were used to characterize TiO2 particles before and after usage with the aim of evaluating the mechanism of reactions. The effect of major operating parameters, pH and temperature, was investigated. Under conditions of [Cr(VI)](0) = [Ni(II)](0) = 5 mg/L, [SDBS](0) = 10 mg/L, [TiO2] = 40 mg/L, pH 6 and T=35 degrees C; the removal efficiencies of 55.4%, 71.2% and 57.2% were obtained, respectively, for Cr(VI) and Ni(II) reduction, as well as for SDBS oxidation, after 110 min operation. The relevant kinetic model jointed with the Arrhenius equation was introduced. Pseudo-first-order reactions are relevant. Energy consumption (electrical and thermal) evaluations revealed that operations at higher temperatures provide significant cost reduction. Meantime, a criterion was proposed for a consistent assessment of this kind of processes. (C) 2015 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.