Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

10-31-1983

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Chemical Engineering and Chemistry

First Advisor

Ching-Rong Huang

Second Advisor

Gordon Lewandowski

Third Advisor

Joseph W. Bozzelli

Abstract

A photoreactor has been designed to oxidize refractory chemicals found in water using ozone and ultraviolet radiation. The feasibility of the ozone/UV process has been examined by conducting experiments with three model compounds, namely, (1) o-chlorophenol (2) m-chlorophenol and (3) p-chloro phenol. For o-chlorophenol and p-chloro-phenol, reactions were very fast with ozone/UV oxidation and somewhat slower with m-chlorophenol. It is concluded that UV irradiation increases the decomposition of ozone and the resulting unstable intermediates are much more reactive than ozone. Ultraviolet light also helps in decomposing the substrate molecules. The effect of UV upon decomposition of ozone is more pronounced than the substrate decomposition in most cases.

Mathematical models have been developed for ozone mass transfer and reaction kinetics. Mass transfer coefficient and chemical reaction rate constants were determined by using regression algorithm on a digital computer. The results have been verified by applying the experimental data with o-chlorophenol.

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