Formation of oxidation byproducts from ozonation of wastewater

Water Res. 2007 Apr;41(7):1481-90. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.01.020. Epub 2007 Mar 1.

Abstract

Disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation in tertiary wastewater was examined after ozonation (O(3)) and advanced oxidation with O(3) and hydrogen peroxide (O(3)/H(2)O(2)). O(3) and O(3)/H(2)O(2) were applied at multiple dosages to investigate DBP formation during coliform disinfection and trace contaminant oxidation. Results showed O(3) provided superior disinfection of fecal and total coliforms compared to O(3)/H(2)O(2). Color, UV absorbance, and SUVA were reduced by O(3) and O(3)/H(2)O(2), offering wastewater utilities a few potential surrogates to monitor disinfection or trace contaminant oxidation. At equivalent O(3) dosages, O(3)/H(2)O(2) produced greater concentrations of assimilable organic carbon (5-52%), aldehydes (31-47%), and carboxylic acids (12-43%) compared to O(3) alone, indicating that organic DBP formation is largely dependent upon hydroxyl radical exposure. Bromate formation occurred when O(3) dosages exceeded the O(3) demand of the wastewater. Bench-scale tests with free chlorine showed O(3) is capable of reducing total organic halide (TOX) formation potential by at least 20%. In summary, O(3) provided superior disinfection compared to O(3)/H(2)O(2) while minimizing DBP concentrations. These are important considerations for water reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and advanced wastewater treatment applications.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Disinfectants / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Organic Chemicals / analysis
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Ozone / chemistry*
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Ozone
  • Hydrogen Peroxide