Removal of MTBE with Advanced Oxidation Processes

The purpose of this project was to perform a careful evaluation of the technical and economic feasibility of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) removal. Specifically, the first objective of this project was to identify and fill data gaps related to the implementation and operation of AOPs with respect to MTBE removal. The second objective was to select and optimize the design of the most promising AOP(s) as a function of water quality parameters. The third objective was to determine conceptual-level engineering costs for these selected AOPs. The AOP technologies that were evaluated as part of this study included ozone/peroxide, continuous wave UV/peroxide, pulsed UV/peroxide, and E beam. The AOP technologies were compared with treatment costs, qualitative factors (e.g., technology reliability, flexibility), and influent and treated water quality considerations. Based on the comparative analysis, it was concluded that all the AOP technologies that were evaluated in this study are capable of removing MTBE at 95% or higher efficiencies. Ozone/peroxide and continuous UV/peroxide appear to be the most feasible technologies for AOP treatment of MTBE in drinking water sources. Originally published by AwwaRF for its subscribers in 2003