Treatment of dyehouse waste‐water by supercritical water oxidation: a case study

BACKGROUND: Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) of dyehouse waste‐water containing several organic pollutants has been studied. The removal of these organic components with unknown proportions is considered in terms of total organic carbon concentration (TOC), with an initial value of 856.9 mg L^?1. Oxidation reactions were performed using diluted hydrogen peroxide. The reaction conditions ranged between temperatures of 400–600 °C and residence times of 8–16 s under 25 MPa of pressure. RESULTS: TOC removal efficiencies using SCWO and hydrothermal decomposition were between 92.0 and 100% and 6.6 and 93.8%, respectively. An overall reaction rate, which consists of hydrothermal decomposition and the oxidation reaction, was determined for the hydrothermal decomposition of the waste‐water with an activation energy of 104.12 ( ± 2.6) kJ mol^?1 and a pre‐exponential factor of 1.59( ± 0.5) × 10⁵ s^?1. The oxidation reaction rate orders for the TOC and the oxidant were 1.169 ( ± 0.3) and 0.075 ( ± 0.04) with activation energies of 18.194 ( ± 1.09) kJ mol^?1, and pre‐exponential factor of 5.181 ( ± 1.3) L^0.244 mmol^?0.244 s^?1 at the 95% confidence level. CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that the SCWO process decreased TOC content by up to 100% in residence times between 8 and 16 s under various reaction conditions. The treatment efficiency increased remarkably with increasing temperature and the presence of excess oxygen in the reaction medium. Color of the waste‐water was removed completely at temperatures of 450 °C and above. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

TRANSFER RATE AND SEPARATION OF Sr2+ and Cs+ BY SUPPORTED LIQUID MEMBRANES UTILIZING SYNERGIZED CROWN ETHER CARRIERS

ABSTRACT

The rate of the isotopic exchange of Na? and Cs? between hydrous silicon-titanium(IV) oxide in the relevant ionic form and aqueous solution was determined radiochemically. The rate was controlled by the diffusion of the ions in the exchanger particles. The diffusion coefficients at 5 °C are (3.9±0. 1)×10^?11m² s^?1 and (2.4± 0. 1)×10^?11 m² s^?1respectively, for Na? and Cs? in the exchanger equilibrated with solutions at pH 6. The activation energies are 31±5 kJ mol^?1 and 20±5 kJ mol^?1 for Na? and Cs? diffusion, respectively. The diffusion coefficients of the ions decreases with increasing pH of the solutions equilibrated with the exchanger, whereas their activation energy is independent of pH. The results were interpreted in terms of the strength of the electrostatic interaction between the counter ions and the ion-exchange sites.     

Heavy Metal Removal and Neutralization of Acid Mine Waste Water ‐ Kinetic Study

The influence of the apatite on the efficiency of neutralization and on heavy metal removal of acid mine waste water has been studied. The analysis of the treated waste water samples with apatite has shown an advanced purification, the concentration of the heavy metals after the treatment of the waste water with apatite being 25 to 1000 times less than the Maximum Concentration Limits admitted by European Norms (NTPA 001/2005). In order to establish the macro‐kinetic mechanism in the neutralization process, the activation energy, Ea, and the kinetic parameters, rate coefficient of reaction, k_r, and k_t were determined from the experimental results obtained in “ceramic ball‐mill” reactor. The obtained values of the activation energy Ea >> 42 kJ mol^?1 (e.g. Ea = 115.50 ± 7.50 kJ mol^?1 for a conversion of sulphuric acid η_H2SO4 = 0.05, Ea = 60.90 ± 9.50 kJ mol^?1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.10 and Ea = 55.75 ± 10.45 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.15) suggest that up to a conversion of H2SO4 equal 0.15 the global process is controlled by the transformation process, adsorption followed by reaction, which means surface‐controlled reactions. At a conversion of sulphuric acid η ^H2SO4 > 0.15, the obtained values of activation energy Ea < 42 kJ mol^‐1 (e.g. Ea = 37.55 ± 4.05 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.2, Ea = 37.54 ± 2.54 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.3 and Ea = 37.44 ± 2.90 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.4) indicate diffusion‐controlled processes. This means a combined process model, which involves the transfer in the liquid phase followed by the chemical reaction at the surface of the solid. Kinetic parameters as rate coefficient of reaction, kr with values ranging from (5.02 ± 1.62) 10‐4 to (8.00 ± 1.55) 10‐4 (s^‐1) and transfer coefficient, kt, ranging from (8.40 ± 0.50) 10‐5 to (10.42 ± 0.65) 10‐5 (m s^‐1) were determined.     

Kinetic Studies of n-Butylparaben Degradation in H2O2/UV System

This work reports the experimental results of kinetics study of n-butylparaben (BP) degradation in H₂O₂/UV systems. A pseudo–steady-state and competition kinetic approaches were used to determine the reaction rate constants between the BP and ^?OH. In competition kinetics atrazine (2.30?×?10⁹ M^?1?s^?1) was used as a reference compound. The measured rate constants for ^?OH reaction with BP ranged from (3.84 ± 0.12)?×?10⁹ M^?1?s^?1 to (8.56 ± 0.90)?×?10⁹ M^?1?s^?1 depending on solution pH and temperature. Values of the rate constant obtained using different methods were in good agreement. The calculated activation energy was equal to 19.01 ± 1.02 kJ mol^?1.     

Kinetics of thermodegradation of palm kernel oil derived medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoates

Oligomeric hydroxyalkanoic acids have potential industrial, medical, and pharmaceutical applications and they can be produced from the degradation of high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoates by a number of different ways. Thermal decomposition takes place in the absence of organic solvent and other chemicals and this justified the method of producing low molecular weight PHA as green chemistry. The kinetics for thermal degradation of medium‐chain‐length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl‐PHA) prepared from saponified palm kernel oil (SPKO) was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. Employing the nonisothermal Kissinger's method, the degradation activation energy, E_d, and pre‐exponential factor, A, were 129 kJ mol^?1 and 1.15 × 10¹⁰ s^?1, respectively. Specific degradation rate constant, k was found to increase at higher heating rate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Studies of cure kinetics of polyisoimide by differential scanning calorimetry in the solid state

Detailed kinetic studies of the thermal imidization of polyisoimide based upon 4,4′‐oxydianiline and 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride by differential scanning calorimetry are described. Both isothermal and dynamic methods have been used to obtain kinetic parameters and a phenomenological rate equation for estimating the degree of imidization as a function of time. The thermal imidization of polyisoimides in the solid state showed a maximum degree of imidization that can be achieved at a given isothermal temperature, probably due to the diffusion controlled characteristics of reactions near vitrification. That the reaction stopped near to the point of vitrification was considered when developing a phenomenological rate equation for thermal imidization of polyisoimide in the solid state. The thermal imidization is well described by modified first order kinetics with an activation energy of 170–181 kJ mol^?1 and a pre‐exponential factor of 4.1 × 10¹³ s^?1. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Kinetics and diffusion processes in colour removal from effluent using wood as an adsorbent

The rates of adsorption of a basic dye, Astrazone Blue, and an acidic dye, Telon Blue, on wood have been studied. The rate controlling step is mainly intraparticle diffusion, although a small resistance due to a boundary layer is experienced. The activation energies for the adsorption of Astrazone Blue and Telon Blue on wood are 16.8 kJ mol^?1 and 9.6 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The diffusion coefficients vary from 6×10^?13 cm² s^?1 to 18×10^?13 cm² s^?1 for Astrazone Blue at 18°C and from 3 × 10^?13 cm² s^?1 to 8 × 10^?13 cm² s^?1 for Telon Blue at 18°C. The variation in diffusivities is attributed to boundary layer effects.     

Kinetics of Bu‐NENA Evaporation from Bu‐NENA/NC Propellant Determined by Isothermal Thermogravimetry

Bu‐NENA (N‐butyl‐N‐nitratoethyl nitramine) base propellants have versatile qualities, such as, higher energy, reduced sensitivity, and enhanced mechanical properties. The evaporation of Bu‐NENA, which takes place in the propellant grains in the course of time, can reduce the physical properties of the propellants, weaken the propellant grains, cause the propellants to crack at stress‐concentrated points, and finally result in unfavorable increases or fluctuations of the burning rate and poor performance of the rocket motor. In this study, the evaporation of Bu‐NENA from a double base propellant was investigated using isothermal thermogravimetry. The results showed that the entire process of Bu‐NENA evaporation complied with the power law of evaporation rate with time. The values of kinetic parameters of Bu‐NENA evaporation were calculated: E _vap=67.68 kJ mol⁻¹ and A _vap=1.57×10⁵ s⁻¹. In comparison, the values of NG (nitroglycerin) evaporation were determined: E _vap=69.68 kJ mol⁻¹ and A _vap=1.33×10⁶ s⁻¹. The value of the activation energy of Bu‐NENA evaporation was close to that of NG, but the pre‐exponential factors differed by an order of magnitude. The evaporation of Bu‐NENA followed zero‐order kinetics at the early stage, and the enthalpy of Bu‐NENA evaporation was calculated to be 69.75 kJ mol⁻¹ according to Langmuir and Clausius‐Clapeyron equations.     

Hydride Transfer: A Dominating Reaction of Ozone with Tertiary Butanol and Formate Ion in Aqueous Solution

This article provides evidences that hydride transfer is an important primary step in ozone reactions of formate and tertiary butanol in aqueous media. In both systems, one argument is the fact that the free hydroxyl radical yields are relative low ((40 ± 4)% and (7 ± 0.8)% for formate and tertiary butanol, respectively). Another hint is the high exergonicity of these reactions: ΔG = –249 kJ mol^?1 for formate/ozone system and ΔG = –114 kJ mol^?1 for hydride transfer followed by a methyl shift in the reaction between tertiary butanol and ozone. In addition, the main product of tertiary butanol ozonolysis is butan-2-one [(89 ± 3)%], a compound that is formed only via hydride transfer. For the reaction of ozone with formate an activation energy of (54.6 ± 1.2) kJ mol^?1 and a pre-exponential term of (2.5 ± 1.2) × 10¹¹ were determined (in the presence of tertiary butanol as ^?OH scavenger) whereas for tertiary butanol the two activation parameters were (68.7 ± 1.9) kJ mol^?1 and (2.0 ± 1.5) × 10⁹, respectively.     

Ultra-high creep resistant SiC ceramics prepared by rapid hot pressing

The high-temperature compression creep of additive-free β/α silicon carbide ceramics fabricated by rapid hot pressing (RHP) was investigated. The creep tests were accomplished in vacuum at temperature range 1500 °C–1750 °C and compressive loads of 200 MPa to 400 MPa. Under investigated condition the RHP ceramics possessed the lowest creep rate reported in the literature. The observed strain rates changed from 2.5 × 10^?9 s^?1 at 1500 °C and a lowest load of 275 MPa to 1.05 × 10^?7 s^?1 at 1750 °C and a highest load of 400 MPa. The average creep activation energy and the stress exponent remain essentially constant along the whole range of investigated parameters and were 315 ± 20 kJ?mol^?1, and 2.22 ± 0.17, respectively. The suggested creep mechanism involves GB sliding accommodated by GB diffusion and β?α SiC phase transformation.     

Kinetics of the thermal dissociation of ZnO exposed to concentrated solar irradiation using a solar‐driven thermogravimeter in the 1800–2100 K range

The two‐step H₂O‐splitting thermochemical cycle based on the Zn/ZnO redox reactions is considered for solar H₂ production, comprising the endothermal dissociation of ZnO followed by the exothermal hydrolysis of Zn. A solar‐driven thermogravimeter, in which a packed‐bed of ZnO particles is directly exposed to concentrated solar radiation at a peak solar concentration ratio of 2400 suns while its weight loss is continuously monitored, was applied to measure the thermal dissociation rate in a set‐up closely approximating the heat and mass transfer characteristics of solar reactors. Isothermal thermogravimetric runs were performed in the range 1834–2109 K and fitted to a zero‐order Arrhenius rate law with apparent activation energy 361 ± 53 kJ mol^?1 K^?1 and frequency factor 14.03 × 10⁶ ± 2.73 × 10⁶ kg m^?2 s^?1. Application of L‘vov’s kinetic expression for solid decomposition along with a convective mass transport correlation yielded kinetic parameters in close agreement with those derived from experimental data. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009     

Effect of Temperature on Kinetics and Adsorption Profile of Endothermic Chemisorption Process: –Tm(III)–PAN Loaded PUF System

Abstract

The sorption behavior of 3.18×10^?6 mol l^?1 solution of Tm(III) metal ions onto 7.25 mg l^?1 of 1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphthol (PAN) loaded polyurethane foam (PUF) has been investigated at different temperatures i.e. 303 K, 313 K, and 323 K. The maximum equilibration time of sorption was 30 minutes from pH 7.5 buffer solution at all temperatures. The various rate parameters of adsorption process have been investigated. The diffusional activation energy (ΔE_ads) and activation entropy (ΔS_ads) of the system were found to be 22.1±2.6 kJ mol^?1 and 52.7±6.2 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) were calculated and interpreted. The positive value of ΔH and negative value of ΔG indicate that sorption is endothermic and spontaneous in nature, respectively. The adsorption isotherms such as Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm were tested experimentally at different temperatures. The changes in adsorption isotherm constants were discussed. The binding energy constant (b) of Langmuir isotherm increases with temperature. The differential heat of adsorption (ΔH_diff), entropy of adsorption (ΔS_diff) and adsorption free energy (ΔG_ads) at 313 K were determined and found to be 38±2 kJ mol^?1, 249±3 J mol^?1 K^?1 and –40.1±1.1 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The stability of sorbed complex and mechanism involved in adsorption process has been discussed using different thermodynamic parameters and sorption free energy.     

Interpreting the Activated Rate Theory for Solid-Phase Crystallization: Comparing Lactose and Sucrose

The activated rate theory (ART) for solid-phase crystallization has been interpreted to assess its key features with previous data for spray-dried lactose and new data for spray-dried sucrose. The theory implies that the kinetic parameters for the two sugars should be different due to the differences in their structural configurations. The activation enthalpy for solid-phase crystal growth has been found to be 39 ± 2 kJ/mol for lactose and 68 ± 4 kJ/mol for sucrose. These activation enthalpies are close to the values for liquid-phase crystallization (40 kJ mol^?1 for lactose; 66–75 kJ mol^?1 for sucrose) from previous literature, suggesting that the theory might apply to both liquid- and solid-phase crystallization. There are also physical arguments for suggesting that the activated state in the new theory has features of both solid- and liquid-phase crystallization. For lactose and sucrose, the crystal growth rate constants at 25°C have been found to be 1.4 × 10^?4 s^?1and 2.5 × 10^?5 s^?1, respectively, similar to the literature values of 1.3 × 10^?4 s^?1and 3 × 10^?5 s^?1, respectively. The difference in the thermodynamic parameters between the two sugars has been found to be significant, as expected from the differences in their structures. Interpreting the sucrose data in terms of the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation and the Avrami equation has shown their limitations and inconsistencies for the new sucrose data, as found previously for lactose. Key features of the ART are highlighted and discussed. These features include minimum activation enthalpies and maximum activation entropies at particular moisture contents for each sugar and minimum and maximum moisture contents below which crystallization is predicted to occur very slowly.     

Ceric ion‐induced graft copolymerization of acrylamide on cationic guar gum at low temperature

The solution polymerization of acrylamide (AM) on cationic guar gum (CGG) under nitrogen atmosphere using ceric ammonium sulfate (CAS) as the initiator has been realized. The effects of monomer concentration and reaction temperature on grafting conversion, grafting ratio, and grafting efficiency (GE) have been studied. The optimal conditions such as 1.3 mol of AM monomer and 2.2 × 10^?4 mol of CAS have been adopted to produce grafted copolymer (CGG1‐g‐PAM) of high GE of more than 95% at 10°C. The rates of polymerization (R_p) and rates of graft copolymerization (R_g) are enhanced with increase in temperature (<35°C).The R_p is enhanced from 0.43 × 10^?4 mol L^?1 s^?1 for GG‐g‐PAM to 2.53 × 10^?4 mol L^?1 s^?1 for CGG1‐g‐PAM (CGG1, degree of substitute (DS) = 0.007), and R_g from 0.42 × 10^?4 to 2.00 × 10^?4 mol L^?1 s^?1 at 10°C. The apparent activation energy is decreased from 32.27 kJ mol^?1 for GG‐g‐PAM to 8.09 kJ mol^?1 for CGG1‐g‐PAM, which indicates CGG has higher reactivity than unmodified GG ranging from 10 to 50°C. Increase of DS of CGG will lead to slow improvement of the polymerization rates and a hypothetical mechanism is put forward. The grafted copolymer has been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3715–3722, 2007     

Sorption of caesium by complex hexacyanoferrates iv. ion exchange kinetics and mechanism of sorption by potassium copper ferrocyanide

The kinetics of caesium sorption by potassium copper ferrocyanide have been studied. Liquid film diffusion is rate controlling in very dilute solutions of caesium (3.8 × 10^?6m). The average film diffusion coefficient was found to be 1.465 × 10^?9 m² s^?1 at 20°C and the activation energy for the corresponding process was found to be 15.14 kJ mol^?1. Chemical reaction rate controls the caesium-potassium ion exchange process at a higher caesium concentration of 3.8 × 10^?3m. The shell progressive reaction model was found applicable to the sorption process. The activation energy for the caesium-potassium ion exchange reaction was measured to be 74.85 kJ mol^?1. Finally, a comparison between the theoretical and the experimental sorption profile has been made to demonstrate the validity of the theory.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic investigation of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis fed‐batch cultivation in a tubular photobioreactor using urea as nitrogen source

BACKGROUND: Fed‐batch culture allows the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis using urea as nitrogen source. Tubular photobioreactors substantially increase cell growth, but the successful use of this cheap nitrogen source requires a knowledge of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the process. This work aims at identifying the effect of two independent variables, temperature (T) and urea daily molar flow‐rate (U), on cell growth, biomass composition and thermodynamic parameters involved in this photosynthetic cultivation. RESULTS: The optimal values obtained were T = 32 °C and U = 1.16 mmol L^?1 d^?1, under which the maximum cell concentration was 4186 ± 39 mg L^?1, cell productivity 541 ± 5 mg L^?1 d^?1 and yield of biomass on nitrogen 14.3 ± 0.1 mg mg^?1. Applying an Arrhenius‐type approach, the thermodynamic parameters of growth (ΔH* = 98.2 kJ mol^?1; ΔS* = ? 0.020 kJ mol^?1 K^?1; ΔG* = 104.1 kJ mol^?1) and its thermal inactivation ( kJ mol^?1; kJ mol^?1 K^?1; kJ mol^?1) were estimated. CONCLUSIONS: To maximize cell growth T and U were simultaneously optimized. Biomass lipid content was not influenced by the experimental conditions, while protein content was dependent on both independent variables. Using urea as nitrogen source prevented the inhibitory effect already observed with ammonium salts. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mechanistic and kinetic studies on the polymerization of styrene initiated by dimethyl sulfonium 2-pyridyl carbonyl methylide

Dimethyl sulfonium 2-pyridyl carbonyl methylide (Y_py-s) initiated radical polymerization of styrene in dimethyl sulfoxide at 85±0.1°C for 6 h under a nitrogen blanket using dilatometric techniques has been studied. The initiator and monomer exponent values were calculated to be 0.5 and 1.2, respectively. The system follows ideal radical kinetics with bimolecular termination. The higher monomer exponent value is ascribed to significant solvent effects on the initiation rate. The overall activation energy and average value of k²_p/k_t are 52.0 kJ mol^?1 and 1.0 × 10^?3 litre mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. The polymerization was retarded in the presence of hydroquinone or benzene; dimethylformamide, however, enhanced the rate of polymerization. Kinetic data and ESR studies indicate that the overall polymerization takes place via triplet carbene formation which acts as a source of free radicals.     

Kinetic study of the nonthermal effect of the esterification of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch treated by microwave radiation

With cassava starch as a raw material and octenyl succinic anhydride as an esterifying agent, octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch (OSA–starch) was prepared in an aqueous medium and treated by water‐bath heating and microwave radiation at a certain temperature, respectively. The reaction kinetics of esterification were studied. The structural analysis and synthesis mechanism of OSA–starch were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The differences in the esterification reaction kinetics between starches treated with water‐bath heating and microwave radiation were observed. Under the condition of water‐bath heating, the apparent activation energy of the esterification reaction was 52.22 ± 1.21 kJ/mol, and the pre‐exponential factor was 9018.20/min^?1. Under the condition of microwave radiation, the apparent activation energy of the esterification reaction was 50.13 ± 1.16 kJ/mol, and the pre‐exponential factor was 4510.21/min^?1. We found that microwave radiation could reduce both the activation energy of the reaction and the pre‐exponential factor. The lowering effect of the apparent activation energy was greater than that of the pre‐exponential factor under the condition of microwave radiation, and this resulted in increased reaction rates. The change in the esterification reaction kinetics was a nonthermal effect of microwave radiation on the esterification of cassava starch. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43909.     

Kinetics of polyurethane formation between glycidyl azide polymer and a triisocyanate

Kinetics of the polyurethane formation between glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and a polyisocyanate, Desmodur N‐100, were studied in the bulk state by using quantitative FTIR spectroscopy. The reaction was followed by monitoring the change in intensity of the absorption band at 2270 cm^?1 for NCO stretching in the IR spectrum, and was shown to obey second‐order kinetics up to 50% conversion. The activation parameters were obtained from the evaluation of kinetic data at different temperatures in the range of 50–80°C. The enthalpy and entropy of activation were found to be ΔH^? = 44.1 ± 0.5 kJ · mol^?1 and ΔS^? = ?196 ± 2 J · mol^?1l · K^?1, respectively. Dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) was used as the curing catalyst. The kinetic study of the polyurethane formation between GAP and Desmodur N‐100 showed that the reaction is enormously speeded up in the presence of the catalyst, and the reaction obeys second‐order kinetics, provided that the catalyst concentration is kept constant. An investigation on the rate of the catalysed reaction depending on the catalyst concentration provided the order of the reaction, with respect to the DBTDL catalyst concentration, and the rate constant for the catalytic pathway of the reaction. The rate constant for the catalytic pathway was established to be 4.37 at 60°C, while the uncatalyzed reaction has a rate constant of 3.88 × 10^?6 L · mol^?1 · s^?1 at the same temperature. A rate enhancement factor of 23 was achieved by using 50 ppm catalyst. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 918–923, 2001     

Kinetics of phenylurea herbicides oxidation by Fenton and photo‐Fenton processes

The chemical oxidation of four selected phenylurea herbicides (linuron, chlortoluron, diuron, and isoproturon) was studied by means of the Fenton system. The influence of the initial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions, the pH and the type of buffer (perchloric acid/perchlorate, acetic acid/acetate, or phosphoric acid/phosphate) was established according to the degradation levels obtained. In the kinetic study, the general decomposition reaction was divided into two stages with different reaction rates, which was justified by considering the whole reaction mechanism for this system. In this kinetic study, a competition kinetics model, which used p‐chlorobenzoic acid as a reference compound, was applied for the evaluation of the rate constants for each reaction between the herbicides and the hydroxyl radical. The proposed values for these rate constants are: 7.5 × 10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1 for chlortoluron, 5.6 × 10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1 for linuron, 7.1 × 10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1 for diuron and 5.7 × 10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1 for isoproturon. Finally, some experiments with the photo‐Fenton system reveal increases in the decomposition levels of the herbicides, due to additional generation reactions of hydroxyl radicals. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry