Oxidation and photoxidation process

Claim 2

A process for treating an aqueous stream containing an oxidizable contaminant that has at least one electron donating aromatic group comprising: adding a sufficient amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonate and bicarbonate to the stream to provide an aqueous stream having a stochiometric excess amount of said compound to react with the contaminant and to increase the pH of the stream to a basic level; and, subjecting the basic aqueous stream to an oxidation process to oxidize the oxidizable contaminant.

Claim 3

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the oxidizable contaminant is an organic compound having at least one aromatic group having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of --OR and --NR 1 R 2 wherein R, R 1 , R 2 are H or a hydrocarbon radical and wherein R, R 1 , R 2 are the same or different.

Claim 4

A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the organic compound is a phenol or an aniline.

Claim 5

A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the organic compound is pentachlorophenol.

Claim 6

A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein a water soluble carbonate salt is added.

Claim 7

A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein a compound selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate is added.

Claim 8

A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein a water soluble bicarbonate salt is added.

Claim 9

A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein sodium bicarbonate is added.

Claim 10

The process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the initial concentration of the oxidizable contaminant in the aqueous stream is less than 10,000 ppm.

Claim 11

The process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the initial concentration of the oxidizable contaminant in the aqueous stream is less than 1,000 ppm.

Claim 12

The process as claimed in claim 2 or 9 wherein the pH of the aqueous stream subsequent to the addition of said compound is at least 8.

Claim 13

The process as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 9 wherein the pH of the aqueous stream subsequent to the addition of said compound is about 9.

Claim 14

The process as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the oxidation process is selected from the group consisting of the addition of ozone and hydrogen peroxide; the addition of ozone and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength between about 200 and about 300 nm; the addition of hydrogen peroxide and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength less than about 250 nm; the addition of ozone where the aqueous stream has a high pH; and, the addition of ozone and hydrogen peroxide and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength between about 180 and 300 nm.

Claim 15

A process for treating an aqueous stream containing an organic compound having at least one aromatic group having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of--OR and --NR 1 R 2 wherein R, R 1 , R 2 are H or a hydrocarbon radical and wherein R, R 1 , R 2 are the same or different comprising, adding a sufficient amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a water soluble carbonate salt and a water soluble bicarbonate salt to provide an aqueous stream having a stoichiometric excess amount of said compound to react with the oxidizable contaminant and to increase the pH of the stream to a basic level; and subjecting the basic aqueous stream to an oxidation process selected from the group consisting of the addition of ozone and hydrogen peroxide; the addition of ozone and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength between about 200 and about 300 nm; the addition of hydrogen peroxide and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength less than about 250 nm; the addition of ozone where the aqueous stream has a high pH; and, the addition of ozone and hydrogen peroxide and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength between about 180 and 300 nm.

Claim 16

A process for treating an aqueous stream containing an organic compound having at least one aromatic group having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of--OR and --NR 1 R 2 wherein R, R 1 , R 2 are H or a hydrocarbon radical and wherein R, R 1 , R 2 are the same or different comprising, adding a sufficient amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a water soluble carbonate salt and a water soluble bicarbonate salt to provide an aqueous stream having a stoichiometric excess amount of said compound to react with the oxidizable contaminant and to increase the pH of the stream to a basic level; and subjecting the basic aqueous stream to an oxidation process selected from the group consisting of the addition of ozone and hydrogen peroxide; the addition of ozone and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength between about 200 and about 300 nm; the addition of hydrogen peroxide and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength less than about 250 nm; the addition of ozone where the aqueous stream has a high pH; and, the addition of ozone and hydrogen peroxide and irradiation with ultraviolet light with a substantial component having a wavelength between about 180 and 300 nm.