Radiocatalytic degradation of dissolved organic compounds in wastewater

Wastewater containing a high concentration of organic substances was exposed to gamma radiolysis in the presence and absence of a catalyst (TiO2); radiolysis and radiocatalysis were performed by means of continuous and discontinuous irradiation. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was the parameter used to estimate the concentration of organic compounds without interference by the high mineral content. The data was well fitted to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model of Langmuir-Hinshelwood. From a [DOC](0) = 140 +/- 7 mg/L, the higher DOC degradation (74%) and apparent rate constant (K-app = 0.083 h(-1)) were found using discontinuous radiocatalysis. This process could be an alternative method of treatment of industrial or municipal wastewater.