TREATMENT OF MTBE BY AIR STRIPPING, CARBON ADSORPTION, AND ADVANCED OXIDATION : TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COMPARISON FOR FIVE GROUNDWATERS

Methyl ter-butyl ether (MTBE) treatment by air stripping, granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption and advanced oxidation processes. Equation of mass transfer in a packed tower with schematic diagram of the system used in treatment study. GAC rapid small scale column tests and description of mobile pilot plant. Chemical characteristics of groundwaters included in tests. UV/H2O2 and 03/H2O2 systems are described and used in the mobile pilot plant. Breakthrough curves are analyzed. Treatment costs for air stripping of each groundwater are presented. Effect of COD and pH for MTBE removal in O3/H2O2 process. Formation and removal of ter-butyl formate and ter-butyl alcohol concurrent with MTBE removal.