Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol in Wastewater by Organic Oxidants

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate degradation and mineralization of model compound 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). This work focused on the degradation of 4-CP by UV and organic oxidants, such as peroxy acetic acid (PAA), p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA), and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), in combination. It was observed that maximum degradation of 4-CP by organic oxidants occurred within the first 10 min. PAA was found to be the best oxidant of all the organic oxidants used. Experiments were also conducted with varying concentration of PAA. Experimental results demonstrated that UV/PAA facilitated 98% removal/mineralization of 4-CP. Mineralization studies were taken up by chloride ion determination and chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurement. The chloride ion concentration was observed to decrease progressively which indicated degradation and mineralization of 4-CP. The COD declined gradually when PAA and MEKP were used as oxidants. The reactions were also fo...