PHOTOCATALYZED OXIDATION OF ORGANIC WASTESTREAMS

Tests were conducted to determine the feasibility of treating organic contaminated water by an ultraviolet (UV) light catalyzed oxidation process which uses hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant (the UV/sedimentation process). Batch tests were conducted on two textile dyeing wastewater and isophorone and dimethyl phthalate contaminated waters.; A rational model for the reaction rate expression for the UV/hydrogen peroxide system is presented in this dissertation. When this model was evaluated using results of a pilot plant study, the model adequately predicted measured results. An analysis of the model indicates that the model may be first order with respect to COD or organic contaminant concentration. The reaction rate constant also could be described as a function of the average UV intensity in the reaction vessel. The reaction rate constant increased to a maximum with increasing UV intensity, then decreased with increasing UV intensity. It was hypothesized that this decrease was due to radical interaction at higher radical concentrations.; A multiple source point source summation model was developed to determine the average UV intensity in the reaction vessel used in this study. This model predicted the UV intensity at each node of a 1 cm grid over the photoreaction chamber based on the absorbance characteristics of the fluid being treated and the physical characteristics of the photoreaction chamber and UV radiation sources.; Cost estimates have shown that while the UV/hydrogen peroxide process is more expensive than current treatment process used in treating textile dyeing wastewater, it has some advantages over traditional systems. Cost estimates have also shown that this process is an economical treatment alternative for isophorone and DMP contaminated waters. This process may be applicable to the treatment of waters contaminated with other priority pollutants.