Applicability of Ozonation Combined with Electrolysis to 1,4-Dioxane Removal from Wastewater Containing Radical Scavengers

Abstract

In this paper, applicability of ozonation combined with electrolysis as an advanced oxidation process for the removal of 1,4-dioxane from synthetic wastewater, has been studied. The combined process easily decomposed 1,4-dioxane, and two byproducts were detected in treated water. Although bicarbonate alkalinity was a strong radical scavenger, its influence was abated by air-stripping of carbon dioxide at the anodic compartment of the reactor. Free chlorine produced through anodic oxidation of chloride ion accelerated the COD removal from wastewater, despite the fact that this ion acted as a weak radical scavenger. The combined process was demonstrated to be applicable to the treatment of wastewater containing high concentration of bicarbonate alkalinity and chloride ions.