Enhanced degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by ultrasound in a new Fenton like system (Fe/EDTA) at ambient circumstance

This study investigated the effect of ultrasound (US) enhancement on the degradation of 2,4-DCP in a new Fenton like system. An obviously synergistic effect was observed after introduction of US into the Fe/EDTA system. Good correspondences with pseudo-first-order kinetic were found in each reaction system. It was demonstrated that the degradation rate constant (kobs) of DCP in US/Fe/EDTA was 7 and 32 times higher than those in Fe/EDTA and US system alone. Simultaneously, lower first-order kobs was also obtained in the investigation of decomposition of EDTA. At 60 min reaction time, Removals of 81% TOC, complete DCP and 89% EDTA were achieved. Low molecular weight organic acids are identified as the main products, which contribute to the solution self-buffer at about pH 6.5 along with the reaction. In addition, the effect of initials condition, i.e., iron addition, EDTA dosage, DCP concentration and US input power as well as reaction temperature were studied and reaction activation energy (Ea) was also calculated.