Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Original Experimental Approach for Assessing Transport Fuel Stability
Published on: October 21, 2016
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) degradation by ferrous ion-activated persulfate oxidation: feasibility and kinetics
1Department of Civil Engineering, National Chi Nan University, 1 University Rd., Nantou 545, Taiwan. kfchen@ncnu.edu.tw
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using ferrous ion-activated persulfate oxidation to remediate groundwater contaminated with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). In this study, batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of various factors on the efficiency of MTBE degradation including persulfate concentrations, ferrous ion concentrations, and persulfate coupled with hydrogen peroxide. Results show that ferrous ion-activated persulfate oxidation was capable of degrading MTBE efficiently. Persulfate and ferrous ion concentrations correlated with MTBE degradation rates. However, excess addition of ferrous ion resulted in decreased MTBE degrading rates most likely because of competition for sulfate free radicals between ferrous ion and MTBE. Two main byproducts of MTBE degradation, tert-butyl formate and tert-butyl alcohol, were detected in the experiments; both were, however, subsequently degraded. Results of sulfate analysis show that proper addition of ferrous ion could prevent unnecessary persulfate decomposition.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...
Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics

