Trihalomethanes such as chloroform, dichlorobromomethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform are formed when natural water is chlorinated in water treatment. This investigation explores the use of ozone to remove organic precursors from natural water, thus decreasing trihalomethane formation potential. The data suggest a mechanism involving formation of secondary precursors after prolonged contact with ozone, suggesting that trihalomethane precursors may be minimized by using low doses of ozone and short contact time.

Many studies have demonstrated that sewage treatment plants do not efficiently degrade pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, hormones, and analgesics. Ozonation has been identified as a promising technique to degrade those compounds. A series of experiments was used to evaluate the impact of three parameters on the efficiency and kinetics of degradation of sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic, by ozonation. An ozone reactor was designed to perform experiments. Analytical techniques, based on liquid and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, were developed to measure concentrations of sulfamethoxazole and identify degradation products. / It was shown that the rate constant and the degradation efficiency are greater when the initial concentration of sulfamethoxazole is lower; the presence of other contaminants in solution decreases the percentage of degradation observed, and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, used as catalyst, must be well adjusted since an inappropriate concentration hinders the reaction. Finally, the analysis of ozonated samples allowed the identification of degradation products and resulted in a proposed degradation mechanism.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

<p>This study has shown that OH˙ radicals can be generated in an Fe/O2 cell from the electrode products via Fenton&rsquo / s reaction and used for water disinfection. The cell system in which the experiments were carried out was open and undivided and contained two electrodes with iron (Fe) as the anode and oxygen (O2) gas diffusion electrode. Typically, 100 ml of Na2SO4.10H2O (0.5M) solution was used as a background electrolyte. OH˙ radicals were produced in-situ in an acidic solution aqueous by oxidation of iron (II), formed by dissolving of the anode, with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The H2O2 was electrogenerated by reduction of oxygen using porous reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) as a catalyst.</p>

<p>This study has shown that OH˙ radicals can be generated in an Fe/O2 cell from the electrode products via Fenton&rsquo / s reaction and used for water disinfection. The cell system in which the experiments were carried out was open and undivided and contained two electrodes with iron (Fe) as the anode and oxygen (O2) gas diffusion electrode. Typically, 100 ml of Na2SO4.10H2O (0.5M) solution was used as a background electrolyte. OH˙ radicals were produced in-situ in an acidic solution aqueous by oxidation of iron (II), formed by dissolving of the anode, with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The H2O2 was electrogenerated by reduction of oxygen using porous reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) as a catalyst.</p>

Magister Scientiae - MSc / This study has shown that OHË radicals can be generated in an Fe/O2 cell from the electrode products via Fenton&rsquo;s reaction and used for water disinfection. The cell system in which the experiments were carried out was open and undivided and contained two electrodes with iron (Fe) as the anode and oxygen (O2) gas diffusion electrode. Typically, 100 ml of Na2SO4.10H2O (0.5M) solution was used as a background electrolyte. OHË radicals were produced in-situ in an acidic solution aqueous by oxidation of iron (II), formed by dissolving of the anode, with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The H2O2 was electrogenerated by reduction of oxygen using porous reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) as a catalyst. / South Africa

Computational fluid dynamic (CFO) modelling has been applied to examine the operation of the prc-ozonation system at Wiggins Waterworks, operated by Umgeni Water in Durban, South Africa. Ozonation is employed in water treatment process primarily to achieve the oxidation of iron and manganese, the destruction of micro-organisms and the removal of taste and odour causing compounds. It also aids in the reduction of the colour of the final water, enhancement of algae removal and possible reduction of coagulant demand. A hydrodynamic model has been satisfactorily verified by experimental tracer tests. The effect of the gas injection was modelled by increasing the level of turbulence intensity at the ozone contactor inlet. The model prediction of the overall tracer response corresponded closely to the experimental results. The framework of ozone reaction modelling was subsequently established using values of rate constants from the literature. An accurate prediction of the ozone concentration profile requires the application of the correct ozone kinetics involved. In raw waters, the depletion of ozone is influenced by the presence of natural organic matters (NOM). The observed ozone decay was found in good agreement using the pseudo first-order rate law. By measuring the total organic carbon (TOC) as a surrogate for NOM, the experimentally determined rate constants can be calculated to account for the effects of the ozone doses and the water quality. The characterisation study also aimed to provide sufficient information on ozone depletion and to be operated easily, without the lengthy and costly analyses ofa detailed kinetics study. The predicted profile of residual ozone concentration suggests the current operating strategy can be improved to optimise the ozone utilisation. The proposed monitoring point was suggested to be at the end of second companment where most ozone reactions have been completed. By coupling the transport equations of the target compounds with their chemical reaction rates, the concentration profile of these compounds such as ozone can be predicted in order to assist the understanding of an operation and to attain better interpretation of experimental results. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The effect of ozone on the inactivation of two Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one Gram-positive endospore (Bacillus subtilis) bacteria, often present in water and the cause of some waterborne diseases was investigated as a function of ozone concentration and ozonation duration. Ozone was generated in situ using corona discharge methods where the ozone concentration ranged from 0.906 - 4.724 mg/L and the inactivation of the three microbes followed pseudo-first order kinetics with respect to the microbes. Three microbes were cultured and the influence of temperature and pH of the aqueous systems on the ozone initiated inactivation rate of the three microbes was also investigated. This study reports that molecular ozone is more effective than hydroxyl radicals initiated by the ozone chain reactions. Two suggested mechanisms for the antimicrobial effectiveness of ozone in water systems from the literature is discussed. The study also found that ozonation significantly decreased the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) value of natural water. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

The use of ozone in a recirculating aquacultural production system on a commercial scale was investigated. ozonation was responsible for statistically significant differences in all test parameters, including: heterotrophic plate count, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, total solids, and total volatile solids. Results indicated ozone had a significantly positive effect in the recirculating aquacultural production system. Further study is recommended, however, to better understand the effects of ozone and to justify economically the use of ozone in commercial systems. / Master of Science