Wet air oxidation of soluble components in waste water

Abstract

Abstract Wet Air Oxidation (WAO) can be used to remove combustible materials from wastewater. This process takes place in the liquid phase at 200 to 300°C and up to 2500 psi (17.3 MPa) with air present. In this work, the WAO of phenol, which is soluble and volatile, and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) which is soluble and non‐volatile were studied. The process was carried out on a continuous basis in an unmixed 1 liter, bubbling reactor with conditions up to 250°C and 2200 psi (15.3 MPa) and liquid residence times from 15 minutes to two hours. A model which describes the effect of pressure, temperature and liquid residence time on the reaction was developed and used to compare the results for phenol and NTA oxidations.