Water decolorization using UV radiation and hydrogen peroxide: a kinetic study

Sometimes, provision of water for domicillary consumption faces the problem of natural contamination originated by the presence of organic substances such as humic or fulvic acids. Very often, after conventional sanitary trea tments this water exhibits a persistent yellowish coloration that affects i ts use. Moreover, these substances may act as precursors of tri-halomethane s formation during pre-disinfection with chlorine. This paper presents, wit h a simplified mechanistic approach, the intrinsic reaction kinetics of nat ural water decolorization employing UV radiation and hydrogen peroxide. The main variables for the model are: contaminant concentration expressed as T OC, hydrogen peroxide concentration and the photon absorption rate.