Peroxone oxidation of toluene and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

This paper discusses oxidation of toluene and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) b y ozone and hydrogen peroxide mixtures (known as peroxone oxidation) at 25 degreesC. The overall reaction in alkaline solutions is first order with re spect to the concentration of dissolved ozone, and is nearly independent of the pollutant concentrations. The oxidation of toluene is one-half order i n hydrogen peroxide, and the rate constant changes in proportion to the hyd roxyl ion concentration with an exponent of 0.67. In the pH range of 7 to 9 , the TNT destruction rate increases with the hydrogen peroxide and hydroxy l ion concentrations with exponents of 0.104 and 0.15 respectively. It is t echnically feasible to treat toluene and TNT contaminated waters by the per oxone oxidation process to achieve the residual level of a few parts per bi llion in treated waters to meet environmental requirements.