Advanced removal of trichloroethylene from water by sonolysis, biocatalytic oxidation and ultrafiltration

Abstract

Trichloroethylene (TCE) causes important pollution problems of soil and groundwater in other countries even in this day when its direct application is less than the last century. This paper emphasized a modern treatment flow for trichloroethylene advanced removal from water based on four phases: sonolysis - biocatalytical oxidation - sonolysis - ultrafiltration. Following this scheme, it is possible to obtain residual TCE content in the effluent approx. 0.01 mg/L, from initial content of 0.5 mg TCE/L. Ultrasonic energy (50-200 kJ) biocatalyst dose (laccase), biocatalytic oxidation time and ultrafiltration separation capacity are the main operating parameters which control the TCE removal efficiency (max. 87%).