UV/titanium dioxide for drinking water treatment: Concurrent degradation of 1,4-dioxane and removal of iron and manganese

An advanced oxidation process using ultraviolet light and titanium dioxide (UV/TiO2) was evaluated at pilot and bench-scale for the concurrent degradation of 1,4-dioxane and removal of iron and manganese through adsorption onto the TiO2 surface. Both studies showed that UV/TiO2 was a feasible process for the concurrent treatment of all three compounds. Iron was completely removed under all tested conditions, while manganese required elevated pH. 1,4-Dioxane did not inhibit the treatment of iron and manganese, but 1,4-dioxane degradation was hindered by these metals presumably by competitive adsorption onto the TiO2. Ultimately, however, conditions were identified where all three compounds could be concurrently removed. The results from this work point to a potential new process that can meet concurrent treatment objectives while minimizing cost through process consolidation.