Kinetics of 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulphonic acid ozonation in presence of activated carbon Original Research Article

Processes based on the simultaneous use of ozone and activated carbon have proven very effective for removing contaminants of high toxicity and low biodegradability. The present study is aimed to determine the kinetic constants involved in this purification process and their relationship with the surface chemistry of the activated carbon. For this purpose, the ozonation of 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulphonic acid (NTS), selected as model compound, was carried out in the presence of different activated carbons. Determination of the Weisz–Prater parameter (CWP) revealed that intraparticular diffusion limitations exist in the system for particles >500 μm. The degradation kinetics of NTS in the presence of activated carbon depends on the concentrations of both, the contaminant and the dissolved ozone, with a global reaction order of 2. The heterogeneous reaction constants were determined using a model that allowed quantification of the capacity of the activated carbon to increase the NTS degradation rate and of the chemical surface properties responsible for this increase. The basicity of the activated carbon is mainly responsible for the catalytic activity of the carbon in NTS ozonation, even though, mineral matter contributes positively to the catalytic activity.