A group of researchers from Thailand investigated the combined effect
of adsorption and oxidation for phenolic wastewater treatment using a
three phase fluidized bed reactor. The group continuously fed aqueous
solutions containing phenol and ozone into a reactor resulting in a
comparison of seven cases.

According to Pratarn Wongsarivej, a researcher at National
Nanotechnology Center, NANOTEC, “Phenol plays an important role in
industrial processes as starter material. However, it is also known to
be carcinogenic and possesses high stability and toxicity. It can
damage skin and tissues of human and animals. It can damage the skin
and tissues of human and animals. When digested, phenol-containing
liquid can affect the liver, causing dark urine and irregular
heartbeat. Therefore, the treatment of phenolic wastewater is of
importance to environmental protection”. The degradation of aqueous
phenol by simultaneously use of ozone and activtade carbon or zeolite
offers an environmental alternative phenol treatment.

Collaborators on this investigation included Chulalongkorn University
and King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi. The researchers
reported their investigation in a paper published by Chinese Journal
of Chemical Engineering.