Evaluation of the Photosonolysis Process Efficacy for the Removal of Anionic Surfactant Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

In this study, the experiments on the sulfonate linear alkylbenzene (LAS) solution were performed using the methylene blue active substances (MBAS) method. The effectiveness of the sonochemical and photochemical reactors for LAS degradation was evaluated with an emphasis on the effect of the contact time, pH values, type of process and initial concentrations. The experiments were carried out at the initial concentrations of 0.5 mg/L, 14.00 mg/L and 21.00 mg/L, the contact time of 8, 16, and 24 minutes, pH of 3, 7, and 11, the ultrasonic frequency of 42 kHz, the acoustic power value of 160 W, an ultraviolet lamp with 150W power and the wavelength of 254 nm. This study showed that the LAS degradation was increased along with the contact time. In addition, at alkaline pH, the removal efficiency increased as well. Overall, the results obtained from this research demonstrated that by themselves, both the sonochemical and photochemical reactors may not be useful for completely reducing the complex wastewaters with high surfactant loads, but the succession of the UV/US process has a significant effect on the removal of anionic detergents. These findings demonstrated the removal efficiency under alkaline conditions and the contact time of 24 minutes was equal to 96.97 percent.