The impact of groundwater quality on the removal of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) using advanced oxidation technology.
In this study, the removal of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated groundwater using advanced oxidation technology was investigated. The UV/H(2)O(2) treatment process was applied to remove MTBE from two Saudi groundwater sources that have different quality characteristics with regard to their contents of inorganic species such as chloride, bromide, sulfates and alkalinity. MTBE was spiked into water samples collected from the two sources to a concentration level of about 250 microg/L. A 500 mL bench-scale forced-liquid circulation photoreactor was used to conduct the experiments. Two different UV lamps were utilized: 15 Watt low pressure (LP) and 150 Watt medium pressure (MP). Results of the study showed that the UV/H(2)O(2) process removed more than 90% of MTBE in 20 minutes when the MP lamp was used at an MTBE/H(2)O(2) molar ratio of 1:200. The results also showed that groundwater sources with higher levels of radical scavengers such as alkalinity, bromide, nitrate and sulfate showed lower rate of MTBE removal.
Earth Sciences Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. bassamst@kfupm.edu.sa
B
B
Tawabini
N
N
Fayad
M
M
Morsy
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000528:radiation effects; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards*
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide