Effect of pH and gas-phase ozone concentration on the decolorization of common textile dyes

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study on the effect of pH (2, 5, and 9) and gas-phase ozone concentration (1, 7, and 11 wt %) on the decolorization efficiency via ozonation for seven common textile dyes. Higher gas-phase ozone concentrations resulted in higher decolorization rates due to more rapid ozone transfer. Higher gas-phase ozone concentration, however, was also observed to have a positive, neutral, or negative effect on ozone dose requirements for different dyes. In general, greater ozone utilization efficiency was achieved at lower pH levels where direct ozone reactions predominate. It was observed that because ozonation can cause significant resolubilization of precipitated dyes, complete removal of dye precipitate should be accomplished prior to polishing via ozonation. The results point to the need for laboratory and/or pilot testing for dye-laden wastestreams to allow process optimization.