Application of Individual and Simultaneous Ozonation and Adsorption Processes in Batch and Fixed-Bed Reactors for Phenol Removal

Abstract

Ozonation, adsorption onto activated carbon and catalytic ozonation in batch and in a fixed-bed reactor for the removal/degradation of phenol and COD were investigated. In the case of batch ozonation the oxidation capacity was greater than 6.9 g of phenol/g O₃, while the continuous ozonation system degraded 40% of the phenol and reduced the COD by 27.9%. The adsorption process provided over 99% removal for phenol and COD; however, it treated only 5 L compared with 17 L for the combined process, which also increased the total area and pore volume of the activated carbon, due to the formation of pores and a widening of micropores.

Keywords:

• Ozone
• Adsorption
• Phenol
• COD
• Removal
• Degradation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was carried out with the financial support of ANP (Brazilian Petroleum Agency) and FINEP (Financial Support for Studies and Projects) through the Human Resources Program of ANP for the natural gas and petroleum sector – PRH09-ANP/MME/MCT.