Degradation of ethylene glycol using Fenton's reagent and UV

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 101 - 108
• Main Authors: Dietrick McGinnis, B., Dean Adams, V., Joe Middlebrooks, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Deicing solutions; Ethylene Glycol - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydroxyl radical; Hydroxyl Radical - chemistry; Iron - chemistry; Other wastewaters; Photochemistry; Pollution; Rain; Ultraviolet photodegradation; Ultraviolet Rays; Wastewaters; Water Movements; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Deicing solutions; Hydrogen peroxide; Ultraviolet photodegradation; Hydroxyl radical; Ethylene glycol; Iron II; Deicing product; Runoff water; Free radical reaction; Ultraviolet radiation; Mineralization; Airport; Reaction mechanism; Fenton reaction; Physicochemical purification; Oxidation; Waste water purification; Photooxidation; Glycol; Hydroxyl; Photochemical degradation
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(00)00597-X

Oxidation of ethylene glycol in aqueous solutions was found to occur with the addition of Fenton's reagent with further conversion observed upon UV irradiation. The pH range studied was 2.5–9.0 with initial H 2O 2 concentrations ranging from 100 to 1000 mg/l. Application of this method to airport storm-water could potentially result in reduction of chemical oxygen demand by conversion of ethylene glycol to oxalic and formic acids. Although the amount of H 2O 2 added follows the amount of ethylene glycol degraded, smaller H 2O 2 doses were associated with increases in the ratio of ethylene glycol removed per unit H 2O 2 added indicating the potential of pulsed doses or constant H 2O 2 feed systems. Ethylene glycol removal was enhanced by exposure to UV light after treatment with Fenton's reagent, with rates dependent on initial H 2O 2 concentration. In addition to ethylene glycol, the principle products of this reaction, oxalic and formic acids, have been shown to be mineralized in other HO generating systems presenting the potential for ethylene glycol mineralization in this system with increased HO production.