Enhancement of decomposition of 2-chlorophenol with ultrasound/H₂O₂ process

We investigated the effects of pH, ionic strength, catalyst, and initial concentration on both decomposition of 2-chlorophenol (2-cp) and removal of total organic carbon (TOC) in aqueous solution with ultrasonic amplitude 120 μm and H₂O₂ (200 mg/l). When the initial concentrations of 2-cp was 100 mg/l and the pH was controlled at 3, the rate of 2-cp decomposition was enhanced up to 6.6-fold and TOC removal up to 9.8-fold over pH controlled at 11. At pH 3, the efficiency of decomposition of 2-cp was 99% but the removal of TOC was only 63%; a similar situation applied at pH 7 and 11. Hence intermediate compounds were produced and 2-cp was not completely mineralized. When the concentration of ionic strength was increased from 0.001 to 0.1 M, the rate of 2-cp decomposition was enhanced only 0.3-fold, whereas the TOC removal was not enhanced. In comparison of the effects of pH and ionic strength, pH had greater influence on both 2-cp decomposition and TOC removal than ionic strength. The effect of a catalyst (FeSO₄) on decomposition of 2-cp was insignificant comparing with direct addition of H₂O₂. The reaction rate at a smaller initial concentration of 2-cp (10 mg/l) was more rapid than at a greater one (100 mg/l). The rate of 2-cp decomposition and TOC removal appeared to follow pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics.