Photocatalysed Oxidation of Toxic Organics

The feasibility of treating water contaminated by two toxic organic compounds with an ultraviolet light catalyzed oxidation process using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant is investigated. In this process hydrogen peroxide is decomposed by ultraviolet radiation producing hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radicals will then oxidize organic compounds via a complex chain of radical reactions. Tests showed that this photooxidation process could successfully remove isophorone and dimethyl phthalate from contaminated waters. A reaction rate expression which adequately describes the process was developed. The reaction rate was found to be first order with respect to hydrogen peroxide concentration, zero order with respect to organic concentration and a function of ultraviolet radiation intensity. The reaction did not exhibit autocatalytic characteristics.