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

ABSTRACT

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