Oxidation of organic pollutants of water to mineralization by catalytic ozonation

The oxidation of various organic compounds in aqueous solution was studied using catalytic ozonation (TOCCATA process) and conventional ozonation. The aim of the work is to assess catalytic ozonation efficiency for the mineralization of various organic compounds in order to envisage its application on real effluents. The selected organic compounds (about 30) are commonly found in industrial wastewaters. Comparative experiments were performed in batch mode at laboratory scale. Investigations were focused on ozone consumption rate, variations of total organic carbon, oxidation by-products and oxidation rate. Catalytic and conventional ozonation treatments were compared considering kinetic data, mineralization extent, and effect of organic functionalities. Catalytic ozonation system according to the TOCCATA process was able to convert organic compounds which were totally inert to ozone treatment and permitted considerably enhanced reaction rates when compounds were reactive to ozonation.