DEGRADATION OF TOLUENE USING UV/HYDROGEN PEROXIDE PROCESS

Toluene in wastewater is volatile and difficult to degrade, and the longer it stays in the water, the higher is the risk. An advanced oxidation process (AOPs) has been used to degrade toluene rapidly and efficiently in wastewater by using ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide. Toluene in solution (initial concentration - 180 mg/dm(3)) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 dose - 2022 mg/dm(3)) was almost decomposed within 150 min. pH as well as the presence of various ions in wastewater did not affect the degradation process. However, under strongly acidic conditions (pH less than 3), the chloride ions reduced the degradation efficiency of toluene. Based on the UV spectrophotometer and GC-MS analyses, the degradation pathways were observed: first, the methyl group was oxidized leading to the generation of benzoic acid, the benzene ring was subsequently opened by the action of hydroxyl radical, followed by the gradual decomposition of the intermediate products into small molecules such as water and carbon dioxide.