Oj. Hao et Kk. Phull, WET OXIDATION OF NITROTOLUENESULFONIC ACID - SOME INTERMEDIATES, REACTION PATHWAYS, AND BY-PRODUCT TOXICITY, Environmental science & technology, 27(8), 1993, pp. 1650-1658
Wet air oxidation (WAO) is effective in the oxidation of 5-nitro-o-tol
uenesulfonic acid (NTSA); the WAO reaction is first-order with respect
to NTSA. Sulfur initially present is almost stoichiometrically conver
ted to sulfate. A significant amount of nitrogen gas and ammonium are
present in the reactor offgas and WAO effluent, respectively. No NO(x)
or SO(x) is detected. Proposed reaction pathways are presented for th
e WAO of NTSA, based on the intermediates and end products identified.
NTSA concentration up to 150 mg/L does not show inhibitory effects on
enriched Nitrosomonas. However, WAO-treated NTSA does show some adver
se effect on the nitrite production capability of the Nitrosomonas, th
us indicating that some byproducts formed during WAO of NTSA may be mo
re toxic than NTSA itself.