The use of an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) as a final wastewater treatment step to quantitatively remove residual chemical contaminants is gaining favor as potable water sources diminish. AOPs typically utilize the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl (●OH) radicals within the water to be treated. This highly oxidizing radical non-selectively reacts with any organic compound, ultimately mineralizing it. However, while most organic species are oxidatively degraded within an AOP, low-molecular-weight alkyl nitrates (R-O-NO2) are actually produced. These species are of concern, as they can have adverse health effects. In addition to being produced, these species have extensive industrial usage including pharmaceutical intermediates, fuel additives, and most popularly, ingredients in explosives and rocket propellants. Moreover, they have the potential to be a N-nitrosodimethylamine precursor. For all these reasons the presence of these compounds in various waters is of concern, and therefore, it has become necessary to investigate how to quantitatively remove these compounds from treated wastewaters intended for reuse. In this study we have determined absolute reaction rate constants for oxidative radical (●OH, sulfate, SO4-●) reactions with a small library of alkyl nitrates. The measured radicals’ reactivity with these contaminants can be used to further establish an understanding of the overall AOP aqueous chemistry, which will assist in assessing the treatment fate of these compounds.

Removal of alkyl nitrate chemical contaminants in wastewaters using advanced oxidative processes

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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