Oxidation of Refractory Organic Materials by Ozone and Ultraviolet Light

• Main Authors: Hewes,Cecil G , III, Prengle,H William , Jr, Mauk,Charles E, Sparkman,O David
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: ALCOHOLS; AMINO ACIDS; Chemical reaction mechanisms; FATTY ACIDS; MASS TRANSFER; ORGANIC ACIDS; Organic Chemistry; OXIDATION; OZONE; PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS; Polyhydric alcohols; Radiation and Nuclear Chemistry; RATES; REACTION KINETICS; SEWAGE TREATMENT; ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION; Water Pollution and Control

An experimental study of an advanced chemical oxidation system was carried out to determine the rates of oxidation of difficult to oxidize, 'refractory', chemical species which are not removed by conventional secondary treatment plus carbon absorption. One representative was chosen for this investigation from each of the five types of refractories in municipal wastewater, alcohol, acid, amino acid, fatty acid, and polyhydroxyl alcohol. A refractory index scale was established to provide a means of comparing the resistance to oxidation of refractory compounds. All of the refractories investigated benefited by at least an order of magnitude increase in reaction rate when UV and ozone are used over that obtained when ozone alone is used. The work proves the technical feasibility of the process concept and provides preliminary data on mass transfer, reaction rate, and ozone autodecomposition for pilot scale work.