Removal of methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE] from contaminated water by photocatalytic process

Methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE] has been commercially used as an octane enhancer to replace tetraethyl lead in gasoline since 1979. The high mobility, water solubility, and resistance to natural attenuation associated with MTBE may result in contamination of ground and surface waters. In this investigation the degradation of aqueous MTBE at relatively high concentrations was studied by UV-vis/TiO2/O2 photocatalytic process. The effect of important operational parameters such as pH, oxygen flow, catalyst loading, and irradiation time were also studied. Concentration of MTBE and intermediates such as tert-butyl formate [TBF] and tert-butyl alcohol [TBA] were measured using a gas chromatograph equipped with flam ionization detector and combined with headspace sampler. The time required for complete degradation increased from 15 to 150 min, when the initial concentration was increased from 10 to 500 mg/L. The first order rate constant for degradation of MTBE from the hydroxyl radical was estimated to be 0.266 to 0.033 min[-1] as the concentration increased from 10 to 500 mg/L. Study on the overall mineralization monitored by total organic carbon [TOC] analysis showed that in the initial concentration of 100 mg/L MTBE, complete mineralization was obtained after 110 mm under UV-vis/TiO2/O2 photocatalytic process. The data presented in this paper clearly indicate that UV/TiO2/O2 advanced oxidation process provides an efficient treatment alternative for the remediation of MTBE contaminated water

Application of photocatalytic process for removal of methyl tert-butyl ether from highly contaminated water

The oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether is added to gasoline to increase the octane level and to reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions by vehicles. The high mobility, water solubility, and resistance to natural attenuation associated with methyl tert-butyl ether may result in contamination of ground and surface waters. In this research the degradation of aqueous methyl tert-butyl ether at relatively high concentrations was investigated by UV-vis/TiO[2]/H[2]O[2] photocatalytic process. The effect of important operational parameters such as pH, amount of H[2]O[2], catalyst loading, and irradiation time were also studied. Concentrations of methyl tert-butyl ether and intermediates such as tert-butyl formate and tert-butyl alcohol were measured over a 180 min period using a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector and combined with headspace sampler. Results showed that the time required for complete degradation increased from 30 to ISO min, when the initial concentration was increased from 10 to 500mg/L. The first order rate constant for degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether from the hydroxyl radical was estimated to be 0.177 to 0.022 1/min as the concentration increased from 10 to 500mg/L. Study on the overall mineralization monitored by total organic carbon [TOC] analysis showed that in the initial concentration of l00mg/L methyl tert-butyl ether, complete mineralization was obtained after 110min under UV-vis/TiO[2]/H[2]O[2] photocatalytic process