A Study on the Degradation Properties of MTBE in Solution using Ultrasound

To supply safe drinking water to areas lacking in water supply and drainage system, such as rural area and military bases in proximity to Demilitarized Zone, effective method for treating organic contaminants such as MTBE is required. This study focuses on seeking optimal conditions for effective degradation of MTBE using a bath type ultrasound reactor. Effectiveness of MTBE degradation by ultrasound is dependent on the frequency, power, temperature, treatment volume, initial concentration, catalyst, etc. In this study the degradation rate of MTBE by ultrasound was proportional to power/unit volume ratio and removal is relatively more efficient for 0.1 mM than for 1 mM of MTBE solution. Efficiency of ultrasound treatment for 1 mM MTBE solution was enhanced under bath temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ compared to $4^{\circ}C$, but the temperature effect was negligible for 0.1 mM MTBE solution. Also for 0.1 mM MTBE solution, effect of catalyst such as $TiO_2$ and $Fe^0$ on treatment speed was negligible, and zeolite even increases the time taken for the degradation. Under these specific experimental conditions of this study, the most determinant factor for degradation rate of MTBE in solution was frequency and power of ultrasound. The results have shown that a continuous ultrasound reactor system can be used for small scale remediation of organically polluted groundwater, under optimal conditions.

초음파를 이용한 수용액 속의 MTBE 분해 특성 연구