Application of UV-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes in Water and Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The presence of hazardous micropollutants in water and wastewater is one of the main concerns in water management system. This micropollutant exists in a low concentration, but there are possible hazards to humans and organisms living in the water. Moreover, its character that is recalcitrant to microbiological degradation makes it difficult to deal with. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are efficient methods to remove low concentration micropollutants. AOPs are a set of processes consisting the production of very reactive oxygen species which able to destroy a wide range of organic compounds. The main principal mechanism in UV-based radical AOP treatment processes is the use ultraviolet light to initiate generation of hydroxyl radicals used to destroy persistent organic pollutants. Therefore, this chapter presents an overview on the principle of radical oxidant species generation and degradation mechanism by various type of UV based AOP in treating contaminants present in water and wastewater. The current application and possible improvement of the technology is also presented in this chapter.