Intensified removal of 4-Methylpyridine by ultrasonication in presence of advanced oxidants

Water contamination is a big issue in every part of the globe. In response to the rising demand for wastewater with lower pollutant levels, a unique enhanced oxidation technique called ultrasound assisted irradiation has been developed. In the current study, advanced oxidising technology is used to accelerate the breakdown of 4-Methylpyridine (4 MP) utilising ultrasound at a rated frequency of 22 ± 2 KHz. In the presence of ultrasound, the effects of advanced oxidising agents as well as the effects of different operational factors like pH, time, and power were evaluated. The kinetics for degradation of 4 MP were evaluated by second order model. The combined strategy of ultrasound assisted degradation in the presence of various advanced oxidising agents like hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), peroxymonosulphate (PMS), potassium per sulphate (KPS) and Fenton reagent was investigated at optimal operating conditions, with the starting concentration of 50 mg/L at pH 9, and temperature 45⁰C. When applying ultrasound at its highest rated power of 120 W while the Fenton reagent was present, the maximum degradation was recorded to be 99 ± 1%. The scavenger effect of ^?OH free radical andions was evaluated on degradation of 4 MP. The synergetic index for all combination approaches was determined, for US/Fenton maximum synergetic index 10.8 established. The tentative degradation pathway was studied for degradation of 4 MP.