The Effects of Preozonation on the Biodegradability of Phenolic Solutions Using a New Gas-Inducing Reactor

To achieve effective COD removal, the combination of preozonation with biological treatment is necessary for phenolic wastewater treatments. Preozonation of 4-cresol, 2-chlorophenol and 4-nitrophenol solutions can be carried out with high ozone utilization rate using a new gas-inducing reactor. During the preozonation, the phenolic compounds can be completely decomposed with 100% ozone utilization rate. This new gas-inducing reactor is beneficial for the preozonation of phenolic solutions, comparing with a conventional gas-liquid reactor. The BOD₅ of preozonized phenolic solution is strongly related to both the degree of decomposition of phenolic compounds and the accumulation of intermediate products in aqueous solution. Based on the high ozone utilization rate, it is suggested that the optimal utilized ozone dose for 4-cresol, 2-chlorophenol and 4-nitrophenol can be chosen as 360, 350 and 400 mg/L, respectively. At those optimal utilized ozone doses, the ratio of BOD₅/COD of preozonized 4-cresol, 2-chlorophenol and 4-nitrophenol solutions increase to 0.33, 0.26 and 0.33, respectively.