SELECTIVE OZONATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN OIL WATER-EMULSIONS/

The ozonation of three to five ring condensed polycyclic aromatic hydr ocarbons (PAH) was studied in synthetic oil/water-emulsions by batch e xperiments. PAH can be oxidized selectively in the presence of high co ncentrations of dodecane as an aliphatic solvent. No oxidation of dode cane, as a representative of mineral oil, could be observed during all experiments - even at pH around 11. At acid to neutral pH high oxidat ion rates of the PAH were achieved due to a direct reaction with ozone . In the investigated range of 20 to 40 degrees C no influence of temp erature on the ozonation of benzo(k)fluoranthene could be found, Durin g competitive ozonation of five PAH, the reactions are completed in th e sequence of acenaphthene, pyrene and finally benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(k )fluoranthene and phenanthrene almost at the same time. (C) 1997 IAWQ, Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.