Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a simple and cheap catalytic oxidation process for removal of MTBE in high concentration by H2O2/CuO process. The effects of H2O2, CuO and initial MTBE concentration, pH and reaction time on the catalytic oxidation were investigated. The study was performed using Design-Expert. According to statistical analyses, 2F1 model has been introduced as the best model that was statistically valid. Based on the experimental design model, the most effective factors were initial MTBE concentration and CuO, respectively. The highest removal efficiency (79) was obtained at the following condition: CuO concentrations; 19 mg(CuO)/L-water, pH 7.25, reaction time 16.30 min, H2O2 12.5 mL/L and initial MTBE concentration 225 mg/L. The higher the MTBE and CuO concentration, the less the removal efficiency. Optimization conditions were initial MTBE concentration 225 mg/L, reaction time 16.5 min, H2O2 13.4 mL/L, pH 7.5, CuO 19 mg/L. Removal efficiency in the laboratory condition was obtained to be 72. The best kinetic model for removal of MTBE was pseudo-second order (R-2 = 0.99, RMSE = 0.21). Therefore, the adsorption of MTBE on CuO catalyst was the predominant process. This is the first time that the CuO/H2O2 has been used as a cost-benefit, simple and effective method as well as kinetic model for removal of high concentration of MTBE during a short period of time.