Comparing Hydrogen Peroxide and Sodium Perborate Ultraviolet Advanced Oxidation Processes for 1,4-Dioxane Removal from Tertiary Wastewater Effluent

Ultraviolet advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOPs) were compared using sodium perborate (UV/NaBO3 AOP) or hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2 AOP) for 1,4-dioxane removal from tertiary wastewater effluent. Both UV-AOPs were also tested with the addition of acetic acid. Results revealed that sodium perborate performed similarly to hydrogen peroxide. The UV/NaBO3 AOP with 6 milligrams per liter (mg/L) as H2O2 resulted in 43.9 percent 1,4-dioxane removal, while an equivalent UV/H2O2 AOP showed 42.8 percent removal. Despite their similar performance, NaBO3 is approximately 3.3 times more expensive than H2O2. However, the solid form of NaBO3 can provide a major benefit to remote and mobile operations. Unlike H2O2 solution, which degrades over time and requires repeated costly shipments, NaBO3 is a convenient source of H2O2, and a long-term supply can be shipped at once and mixed into solution as needed. The addition of acetic acid to a UV/H2O2 AOP was found to enhance 1,4-dioxane removal, increasing treatment effectiveness by 5.7%.