The Preozonation of Phenolic Aqueous Solution and Its Effect on the Improvement of Coagulation Treatment

Abstract

Phenolic solutions are difficult to treat with coagulation processes because phenol is well soluble in water. However, with suitable preozonation, the ozonized organic components can be removed more effectively by coagulation processes. In order to avoid excessive preozonation, a good control on the degree of preozonation is crucial for practical applications. The degree of preozonation of phenolic solution was evaluated by measuring the phenol decomposition rate, ADMI value and ozone outlet concentration during the ozonation. Three characteristic times were observed, namely (1) ADMI value reaches the peak value during preozonation, (2) the ozone outlet concentration starts increasing, and (3) the ADMI value reaches the discharge standard (500 value, EPA Taiwan). These characteristic times provide the useful means as real-time control parameters on the extent of preozonation. The results of HPLC and GPC show that phenol is almost completely decomposed after 43 min of preozonation. The major components after preozonation are oxalic acid and coupling compounds. The preozonized solution, containing phenol decomposition products, was then subjected to coagulation treatments. The coagulation behavior of preozonized solution is dependent on the extent of preozonation. Three types of coagulant were investigated, namely alum, ferric chloride (FeCl3) and poly aluminum chloride (PAC). Both PAC and FeCl3 are effective coagulants for COD removal. As an example, phenol solution (initial phenol concentration=300 mg/L, C O 3,i=20 mg/L) was preozonized for 50 minutes, followed by FeCl3 coagulation treatment. After preozonation and coagulation processes, the total COD and ADMI removal rates are as high as 70% and 80%, respectively. Most of the coupling compounds and oxalic acid are removed by the coagulant.