Intensification of the O3/H2O2 advanced oxidation process using a continuous tubular reactor filled with static mixers: Proof of concept

An innovative implementation of the O3/H2O2 advanced oxidation process was proposed to intensify the hydroxyl radical generation. Natural or drinking waters, containing atrazine as a probe compound, were spiked with H2O2 and further continuously mixed to a pre-ozonated solution in a homogeneous tubular reactor filled with static mixers. Hydraulic residence times ranging from 10 to 140 s were set at different sampling ports. The experimental results confirmed a very high ozone decomposition rate, concomitant with a high hydroxyl radical exposure (Rct in the range from 10−7 to 10−6), especially during the initial ozone decomposition phase (between 10 and 20 s). Equimolar initial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and ozone were optimal to maximize the hydroxyl radical generation and to minimize their relative consumptions. The influence of the water matrix on the ozone decomposition and the hydroxyl radical generation was limited. This study is a proof of concept that using a homogeneous tubular reactor would be more effective than a gas–liquid reactor to apply the peroxone process.