AWWA WQTC71366

The removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from raw water contributes to lower disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formation. NOM can be mineralized by using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as vacuum-UV radiation (VUV), UV radiation plus H₂O₂ (H₂O₂/UV), or VUV radiation plus H₂O₂ (H₂O₂/VUV) processes. Experimental work with the H₂O₂/UV process showed that 42% mineralization of NOM could be achieved after treating raw water samples for 180 minutes. A much faster mineralization rate was observed with the VUV process, providing 90% mineralization of the organic matter after 120 minutes of irradiation. Also, a slightly greater mineralization was obtained with the H₂O₂/VUV process. The overall quantum yields of the NOM mineralization with the H₂O₂/UV, VUV, and H₂O₂/VUV processes were 0.004, 0.097, and 0.016, respectively. Includes 14 references, figures.