Methylene blue removal from contaminated waters using O₃, natural zeolite, and O₃/zeolite

This paper compares experimental results on methylene blue (MB) removal systems based on ozone oxidation, zeolite adsorption, and simultaneous adsorption-oxidation using ozone in the presence of natural zeolite. The effect of pH (2–8), and the presence of radical scavengers (sodium acetate) on process rates and removal efficiencies are assessed at laboratory scale. The experimental system consisted of a 1 L differential circular flow reactor and an ozone generator rated at 5 g O₃/h. Results show that ozone oxidation combined with zeolite adsorption increases the overall MB oxidation rate with respect to ozonation process and zeolite adsorption. In presence of free radical scavenger, only a 25% of reduction on MB removal rate are observed in the simultaneous treatment, as compared with 70% when ozonation treatment is used, suggesting that MB oxidation reactions take mainly place on the zeolite surface.