Decomposition of ozone in water in the presence of organic solutes acting as promoters and inhibitors of radical chain reactions

• Published in: Environmental science & technology 1985-12, Vol.19 (12), p.1206-1213
• Main Authors: Staehelin, Johannes, Hoigne, Juerg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es00142a012

A reaction model was developed to describe the decomposition of ozone in water in the presence of promoters and inhibitors, and considered for interpreting the kinetic behaviour of ozone in natural and waste waters. Reactions of aqueous ozone in pure water and in the presence of solutes which reacted with ozone or which interacted with hydroxyl radicals by scavenging and/or converting into water are shown diagrammatically. Results of experiments using several different organic compounds as promoters, and constituents of natural waters as promoters and inhibitors, are presented. The rate of decomposition of aqueous ozone in the presence of organic and inorganic solutes was generally controlled by a radical-type chain reaction promoted by solutes that converted the non-selective hydroxyl radicals into the oxygen radical which was a more efficient chain carrier. Typical initiators, promoters, and inhibitors for decomposition of ozone by radical-type chain reaction, found in natural waters and wastewaters, are tabulated. A bibliography of 40 references is appended.