Abstract
ABSTRACT
The removal of low levels of hazardous organic compounds from water is often difficult and expensive by conventional treatment methods. A promising method in which pollutants are oxidized by ultraviolet (UV) light-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide has been investigated for an aromatic pollutant, benzene. The oxidations were conducted in a quartz annular reactor equipped with a 254 nm germicidal UV lamp. Benzene was more rapidly destroyed by the combination of hydrogen peroxide and UV light than by UV light alone. The rate of oxidation could be increased by increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide initially present in the reactor or by increasing the UV light intensity. Alkaline pH was detrimental to the reaction rate, probably because of the base-catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. A rapid increase in the absorbance of treated benzene solutions at 254 nm was observed, and attributed to the presence of strongly absorbing aromatic oxidation intermediates. Four intermediates were identified by GC/MS and HPLC analyses. The intermediates could be removed by adding additional hydrogen peroxide and extending the treatment time.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.