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Oxidative destruction of phenol and other organic water residuals by iron(VI) ferrate

Journal Article · · J. - Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5244292

In order to investigate the potential of the ferrate ion for effective waste treatment, laboratory studies were conducted on its reactivity with various dissolved organics, including benzene, substituted benzenes (e.g., toluene, aniline, and phenol), and aliphatic alcohols (e.g., 1-hexene-4-ol and ethanol). Ferrate ion and organic substrates showed a low reactivity above pH 8 except for those compounds which form a strongly nucleophilic group, such as aniline and phenol. Ferrate ion is capable of effective oxidation at all pH values for many compounds, even though there is no apparent increase in reaction rate with ferrate ion concentration. In phenol oxidation, the initial ferrate concentration is more important at higher ferrate to phenol ratio than at lower ratios. The activity of phenol with ferrate ion increases as the formation of the phenolate ion increases. The data show that ferrate is a selective oxidant with respect to dissolved organic compounds and is capable of at least partially oxidizing several groups. At present, the predicted response of organics with respect to ferrate ion oxidation is very difficult to quantify.

Research Organization:
Northwestern Univ.
OSTI ID:
5244292
Journal Information:
J. - Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States), Journal Name: J. - Water Pollut. Control Fed.; (United States) Vol. 50:3; ISSN JWPFA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English