Does electro-peroxonation improve performance of electro-ozonation?

Abstract

This work focuses on the comparison of the degradation and mineralization of clopyralid with electrochemically produced hydrogen peroxide (electro-H2O2), ozone (electro-ozonation) and their mixture (electro-peroxone) and points out important differences among the performance of the oxidation technologies. Co-existence of electrochemically produced hydrogen peroxide and ozone decreases the concentration of ozone and increases the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the bulk, because of the formation and recombination of hydroxyl radicals. Oxidation of clopyralid and mineralization of the wastewater is less efficient with hydrogen peroxide and more efficient with ozone. Peroxone shows an intermediate performance which can be related with the oxidant’s speciation produced in the wastewater. Different behavior between in situ electrochemically produced ozone and ozone dosed, indicates activation of ozone in the electrolyte during the electro-ozonation process. Results highlights the good performance of the simple electro-ozonation that overcomes other EAOPs and indicates than combination of powerful oxidants in this case does not result in the expected synergism but in antagonistic responses.