Degradation of p-Cresol by Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs)

Abstract

This research was carried out to study the overall treatment performance of ozonation for pure p-Cresol. With respect to initial p-Cresol concentration and pH, the degradation of p-Cresol, COD removal and final pH were investigated. The kinetic model and degradation mechanism of p-Cresol by ozonation were presented. Among the different parameters investigated, the laboratory experiments showed that 50 mg/L of p-Cresol with pH 11 obtained the highest ozonation performance with 98% p-Cresol degradation and 74% COD removal in total 40 minutes. Degradation of p-Cresol for 50mg/L at pH 11 of p-Cresol solution by ozonation was fitted into pseudo second-order order modelling, with kinetic constants of 0.1709 L/mg.min. The principle intermediate products from p-Cresol degradation were ketones, aldehyde and carboxylic acids. Based on the results, it can produces treated effluent that complied with Malaysia permissible phenolic compound concentration and COD value. However, it is still requires further treatment by biological processes for drinking water purpose.