Options and limitations of hydrogen peroxide addition to enhance radical formation during ozonation of secondary effluents

The oxidation of secondary effluent with ozone and O3/H2O2 (peroxone) was evaluated in batch experiments as pre-treatment for soil aquifer treatment for non-potable reuse purposes. The addition of hydrogen peroxide improved the reduction of ozone-resistant compounds with an optimized radical formation at 0.5 mol H2O2/mol O3. However, the improvement of radical formation was shown to be limited to approximately 30–40% independent from ozone dosage. Also a preozonation step did not accelerate efficiency of subsequent peroxone treatment. Thus, other treatment options, such as an increase of ozone dosages, need to be considered for more efficient removal of ozone-resistant compounds. However, the peroxone process might still be a promising option for oxidation of bromide containing effluents, since a reduction of bromate formation can allow the application of higher ozone dosages.