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Fenton-Driven Chemical Regeneration of MTBE-Spent Granular Activated Carbon -- A Pilot Study
Citation:
HULING, S. G., E. Kan, C. Caldwell, AND S. Pak. Fenton-Driven Chemical Regeneration of MTBE-Spent Granular Activated Carbon -- A Pilot Study. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 205-206:55-62, (2012).
Impact/Purpose:
Peer Reviewed Journal Article for Water Research
Description:
MTBE-spent granular activated carbon (GAC) underwent 3 adsorption/oxidation cycles. Pilot-scale columns were intermittently placed on-line at a ground water pump and treat facility, saturated with MTBE, and regenerated with H2O2 under different chemical, physical, and operational conditions. Iron amendment to the GAC (≈ 6 g/kg) was achieved either by amending ferrous iron to the GAC, or by acidic pre-treatment followed by the amendment of ferrous iron. GAC regeneration either occurred under ambient thermal conditions (21-27 OC) or enhanced thermal conditions (50 OC). Significant removal of MTBE was measured in all three columns using $0.6 H2O2 / lb GAC. Elevated temperature played a significant role in oxidative treatment given the lower removal at ambient temperature (62-80%) relative to MTBE removal measured under thermally enhanced (78-95%) and thermally enhanced acid pre-treated (92-97%) conditions. Greater MTBE removal was attributed to increased intraparticle MTBE desorption and diffusion and higher aqueous MTBE concentrations. The predominant reaction byproducts, tert-butyl alcohol and acetone, also underwent significant oxidative transformation and were not estimated to represent health risks. Semi-continuous H2O2 loading resulted in saw tooth-like H2O2 concentrations in the mixing reservoir where continuous H2O2 loading was more time efficient and resulted in sustained H2O2 levels.
