Degradation of sulfolane using activated persulfate with UV and UV-Ozone

This study investigates the degradation of sulfolane in aqueous system by (NH4)2S2O8/UVC and (NH4)2S2O8/O3/UVC. While bubbling O3 significantly decreased the reaction time, the experimental results in both cases were consistent: firstly, the degradation of sulfolane followed pseudo-first order kinetic models, secondly, the reaction rates were affected by persulfate dosages, UV light intensity, initial pH and concentration of carbonate/bicarbonate present. Low concentration of chloride (less then 100 ppm) had no effect on the reaction rate. Application of (NH4)2S2O8/O3/UVA for degradation of sulfolane was also investigated. It was found that for higher sulfolane degradation kinetics, higher concentrations of persulfate was required under UVA irradiation. Finally, (NH4)2S2O8/UVC was evaluated for its applicability for degradation of sulfolane in groundwater samples.