Removal of fuel oxygenates from water using advanced oxidation technologies by means of falling film reactor

In this study, the application of different advanced oxidation technologies for the degradation of three common fuel oxygenates (ethers) in aqueous solutions was investigated. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) and, tert-amyl ethyl ether (TAEE) were chosen for this study. The removal of tert-butanol (TBA) and tert-butyl formate (TBF) as oxidation by-products of MTBE and ETBE, from water was also investigated. This was performed using an annular falling film reactor where TiO2 particles were immobilised on the reactor wall and irradiated by UVA-light in the presence of oxygen or/and ozone. Photocatalytic ozonation (TiO2/UVA/O3) completely removed the chosen oxygenates from water and wastewater after about 10 min, while other investigated oxidation methods decomposed them more gently. The aqueous solutions of oxygenates was also mineralised by 70–80% after 1 h using photocatalytic ozonation.

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► The falling film reactor showed good results in the degradation of oxygenates.
► Photocatalytic ozonation removed the oxygenates from water after about 10 min.
► 70–80% of the aqueous solutions of oxygenates were mineralised after 1 h.
► The removal of TBA and TBF as oxidation by-products was sufficiently achieved.
► Increasing the concentration of oxygenates increased their degradation rates.