Abstract

With the strict regulations of present times, chemical oxidation holds tremendous potential for destructive treatment of hazardous wastes which are resistant to biological oxidation. Fenton's reagent has proved to be an inexpensive and powerful oxidant which has been shown to oxidize a wide variety of organics. In this paper, 2,4 dinitrotoluene (2,4 DNT) was chosen as a model compound following previous work where 2,4 DNT was subjected to oxidation by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of medium power UV source. Various factors that are important to optimize the oxidation of organics were studied. The effect of aeration, step dosing and the role played by the ferric ions on oxidation of 2,4 DNT were verified in this experimental study. The results of our work show that 2,4 DNT can be effectively oxidized in aqueous solutions with Fenton's reagent. At a H₂O₂: DNT: Fe²⁺ ratio of 20:1:2.5 (molar), 2,4 DNT was completely removed in 5 hours. Finally, the results and the reaction intermediates of the oxidation of 2,4 DNT with Fenton's reagent vis-a-vis the H₂O₂/UV system are discussed.

Keywords

Dinitrotoluene, Dinitro, DNT, Fenton's reagent, chemical oxidation, hazardous waste destruction

Subject Categories

Dinitrotoluenes, Fenton's reagent, Hazardous wastes

Disciplines

Environmental Engineering

Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers

Publication Date

1993

Rights Information

This is a copy of an article published in Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Materials © 1993 [copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.]; Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Materials is available online at: http://www.liebertonline.com.

Rights Holder

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.


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