Removal of organics in water using hydrogen peroxide in presence of ultraviolet light

The optimum conditions for the removal of dissolved organic impurities from water using hydrogen peroxide (50%) followed by ultraviolet irradiation were investigated. The photochemically initiated hydroxyl radical (OH) oxidation reduced the total organic carbon (TOC) content of distilled water samples by about 88% and of tap water by 98%. Extraction with hexane of equal volumes of water samples before and after H₂O₂/u.v. treatment followed by gas chromatographic analysis of the concentrated extracts indicated that about 12% of the electron-capturing, residual organics remained after this treatment. These results support the conclusion drawn from total organic carbon analysis that this simple method yields water nearly free of organic impurities.