Authors: Weavers, Linda K.; Pee, Gim Yang; Frim, J. Aaron; Yang, Limei; Rathman, James F.

Source: Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC 2002: Session 41 through Session 50 , pp. 1-22(22)

Publisher: Water Environment Federation

Abstract:

This research focused on the use of sonication to destroy surfactants and surface tension properties in industrial wastewaters that affect traditional water treatment processes. We have investigated the sonochemical destruction of surfactants and a chelating agent to understand the release of metals from surfactants during sonication. In addition, the effects of physical properties of surfactants and the effect of ultrasonic frequency were investigated to gain an understanding of the factors affecting degradation. Successful partial or total destruction of surfactants resulting in the release of metals bound to surfactants may result in a significant cost savings to treatment plants.

Sonochemical degradation of surfactants was observed to be more effective than nonsurfactant compounds. In addition, as the concentration is increased the degradation rate constant does not decrease as significantly as with non-surfactant compounds in the NAP reactor. In fact, the total number of molecules degraded increases with concentration. The degradation of metal complexes is not as effective as in the absence of the metal. However, this is likely an artifact of the model complexing agent used. Surfactant metal complexes are expected to be faster as they will accumulate at the hot bubble interface, significantly increasing ligand exchange kinetics and thus degradation of the complex.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2002-01-01

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• In this Subject: Earth and Environmental Sciences ,  General & Civil Engineering ,  Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering
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