FORMATION OF KETOACIDS AND AOC DURING OZONATION IN DRINKING WATER

The reaction of ozone with NOM (Natural Organic Matter) can occur by two different pathways: that involving molecular ozone and by way of reactions with hydroxyl radicals which are produced from the decomposition of molecular ozone. As such, the formation of ketoacids and Assimilable Organic Carbon (AOC) can be controlled by controlling the pathway by which ozone reacts with NOM. The ratios of $[OH{\cdot}]/[O_3]$ ($R_{CT}$ values) were determined under the various ozonation conditions. The $R_{CT}$ values increased with increasing initial ozone concentration. The $R_{CT}$ values (ranges from 10 to $35^{\circ}C$) increased linearly as temperature increased (within the range from 10 to $35^{\circ}C$). However, $R_{CT}$ was independent of hydraulic retention time (HRT). Operational conditions were found to affect the formation of AOC. The conditions where the molecular ozone reaction predominated resulted in an increase in the formation of AOC.