Methylene blue removal from contaminated waters using O3, natural zeolite, and O3/zeolite.

This paper compares experimental results on methylene blue (MB) removal systems based on ozone oxidation, zeolite adsorption, and simultaneous adsorption-oxidation using ozone in the presence of natural zeolite. The effect of pH (2-8), and the presence of radical scavengers (sodium acetate) on process rates and removal efficiencies are assessed at laboratory scale. The experimental system consisted of a 1 L differential circular flow reactor and an ozone generator rated at 5 g O3/h. Results show that ozone oxidation combined with zeolite adsorption increases the overall MB oxidation rate with respect to ozonation process and zeolite adsorption. In presence of free radical scavenger, only a 25% of reduction on MB removal rate are observed in the simultaneous treatment, as compared with 70% when ozonation treatment is used, suggesting that MB oxidation reactions take mainly place on the zeolite surface.