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

This paper discusses oxidation of toluene and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by ozone and hydrogen peroxide mixtures (known as peroxone oxidation) at 25 degreesC. The overall reaction in alkaline solutions is first order with respect to the concentration of dissolved ozone, and is nearly independent of the pollutant concentrations. The oxidation of toluene is one-half order in hydrogen peroxide, and the rate constant changes in proportion to the hydroxyl 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 hydroxyl ion concentrations with exponents of 0.104 and 0.15 respectively. It is technically feasible to treat toluene and TNT contaminated waters by the peroxone oxidation process to achieve the residual level of a few parts per billion in treated waters to meet environmental requirements.