Combined absorption and self-decomposition of ozone in aqueous solutions with interfacial resistance

Abstract

A theoretical analysis is performed employing the film model for the isothermal absorption and self-decomposition of ozone in aqueous solutions with interfacial resistance, which is inversely proportional to the interfacial mass transfer coefficient k(g). A closed-form solution has been obtained. The effects of system parameters on the ozone mass transfer rate are examined. These parameters include the interfacial resistance (1/k(g)),the acidic and basic self-decomposition reaction rate parameters (M(m)(0.5), M(n)(0.5); M(m) = [2D(A)k(m)C(Ai)(m-1)/((m+1)]/k(L)(0))(2), M(n) = (2D(A)k(n)C(Ai)(n-1)/(n+1))/k(L)(0))(2), the reaction orders (m,n), the pH value of solution, and the liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient (k(L)(0)). The results indicate that the reduction effect of the interfacial resistance on the absorption rate is most significant for the situation with the larger values of M(m) and M(n) as well as with higher pH values. Also, for any particular finite value of k(L)(0)/k(g), the reduction effect encountered is greater for a gas liquid contactor with a lower k(L)(0). The reduction effect should be avoided in order to maintain a higher mass transfer rate of ozone in aqueous solution. This analysis is of importance for the efficient use of ozone in water/wastewater treatment processes in the presence of interfacial resistance substances such as surface active agents. For some known special cases (for example, cases with no interfacial resistance), the present solution reduces to the previous works of other investigators.