Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.50, No.16, 9601-9608, 2011
Intensification of Degradation of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol Using Sonochemical Reactors: Understanding Mechanism and Scale-up Aspects
Degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) has been investigated using two types of sonochemical reactors viz. ultrasonic horn and ultrasonic bath reactors with an objective of investigating the effect of different operating parameters and intensifying the extent of degradation using different additives. Effect of different operating parameters such as operating temperature, power input, operating pH, and use of different additives such as solid particles, air, and hydrogen peroxide has been investigated. Experiments have been performed at two different scales of operation with an objective of illustrating the guidelines for possible scale-up strategies for cost-effective operation. As the extent of degradation was significantly lower in large scale reactor, intensification studies have been carried out by combining sonication with UV light and ozone. Possible mechanisms for intensification due to the use of different additives and combining oxidation techniques have also been illustrated based on the observed results. Maximum degradation has been obtained in the presence of air in the horn type reactor and in the presence of TiO2 as catalyst in larger capacity reactor. It has been observed that the use of additives which enhance the overall cavitational activity is more recommended due to the dominant pyrolytic mechanism of degradation.