Evaluation of UV/O 3 process for removal of methyl tertiary-butyl ether in aqueous solutions

 In the present investigation, the methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) removal efficiency from the synthetic solutions by the means of advanced oxidation process of UV/O 3 was studied. 

 To study the efficiency of process, the following variables were studied: ozone concentration, pH, MTBE initial concentration, and radiation duration. As The radiation source, a Mercury vapor UV lamp with moderate pressure (400W) was used which was immersed vertically in the solution containing MTBE, in a glass reactor (Volume: 2 L). 

 The results showed that the efficiency of UV radiation and ozone alone in 50 mg/L concentration and pH: 7 on MTBE removal was 4 and 53%, respectively. The UV/O 3 compound process removal efficiency in 60 minutes was 63%. The pH played a significant role in the process, as with the increase in pH, the removal rate increased as well. The removal rates for the initial concentrations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 mg/L of MTBE were 98, 81.5, 72.8, and 63.8%, respectively. 

 The results of the present survey indicated that the efficiency of the UV/O 3 combination process was more than ultraviolet (UV) and Ozone alone. In the UV/O 3 combination process, the MTBE removal efficiency increased as the O 3 concentration and pH increased, while the efficiency decreased as the MTBE concentration decreased.