Sonolysis and mineralization of pentachlorophenol by means of varying parameters

Degradation effect of organic pollutant on pentachlorophenol (PCP) is researched by ultrasound. PCP is treated by low frequency (16 kHz) and high frequency (800 +/- 1 kHz), and bi-frequency. The results of investigation on the ultrasonic destruction of PCP showed that the rate of PCP degradation at the same conditions is the highest at bi-frequency, and the lowest at 16 kHz. In the presence of Fenton type reagent the degradation rate of PCP is the highest at bi-frequency (20.93 times) as compared to the stirring system. This ratio is 4.91 and 1.06 at 800 kHz and 16 kHz, respectively. The studies showed the bi-frequency is an effective method for pollutants degradation, but it is need make further study. Taking 800 kHz for example, under the same conditions, the smaller pH of the solution, the higher is the reaction rate. A similar situation applied to TOC, but the TOC removal lags behind degradation of PCP. This indicated the PCP is not completely mineralized. The ultrasound is somewhat enhanced for degradation of PCP and mineralization with only addition of CuSO4, but the combination of ultrasound and Fenton type reagent is effective method for PCP degradation and mineralization. The rate of PCP degradation and TOC removal appeared to follow pseudo-first-order reaction kinetic law.