Abstract
This study investigates the ozonation kinetics of 2-chlorophenol in wastewater under acidic condition. Intermediates and by-products generated during the process were rigorously identified and quantified. The major by-products are four carboxylic acids: tartaric acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, and hydroxymalonic acid. The generation of these organic acids is in agreement with theoretical predictions. But hydroxylated compounds are more favorable to produce than their corresponding non-hydroxylated ones. Based on the information concerning the generation of organic acids and other aromatic intermediates, the complete reaction pathways toward mineralization can be proposed and mathematically modeled. The fitted second-order rate constants are in the same order of magnitude with the results from other studies. Using these oxidation pathways and the corresponding kinetic model, by-products generated in ozonation process can be predicted. This can help in optimizing the design and operation of any subsequent treatment processes.