Microwave assisted wet oxidation of p-nitrophenol

Aqueous solution of p-nitrophenol (PNP) was treated continuously by microwave assisted wet oxidation while flowing through a granular activated carbon (GAC) fixed bed. PNP was pre-adsorbed onto GAC prior to being put into the reactor so as to prevent PNP adsorption on GAC during microwave irradiation. PNP solutions with different initial concentration (218.6 mg/L and 1200 mg/L) were treated under conditions of microwave power 500 W, liquid flow 6.4 mUmin and air flow 40 mUmin or 60 mUmin. The results indicated that the removal of PNP was higher than 90% and more than 65% PNP was mineralized. Phenol, nitrobenzene, hydroquinone and benzoquinone occurred as course products during the operation process, which were degraded further. The biodegradability of the outflow was improved greatly by microwave assisted wet oxidation.