DEGRADATION OF 2-TOLUIC ACID BY UV, UV/ H2O2 AND PHOTOFENTON PROCESSES

Abstract

The present study was used to probe the treatment of simulated wastewater containing 2-toluic acid by UV, UV/ H2O2 and photofenton processes.Experiments were conducted in a batch photoreactor to examine the effects of operating variables like pH, ratio of H2O2/COD, and different combinations of oxidizing agents with UV, and their degradation rate is compared.A pseudo-first order kinetic model was adopted to represent the photo-oxidative degradation of 2toluic acid.The degradation rate of 2-toluic acid obeys the following sequence: photofenton (UV/Fe2+/ H2O2) > photoperoxidation(UV/ H2O2) > photolysis(UV).