4 is an electric-energy-intensive process and the electric energy can represent major
consumption cost, then the evaluation of electrical energy demand is also required. In order to evaluate the advantage of the hybrid strategy of the combined AOP
using UVH
2
O
2
and biological oxidation, a biodegradability test of the partially degraded wastewater as well as untreated wastewater will be investigated following
the standard procedure and using locally available activated sludge.
1.3 Objectives
The objectives of the present work are detailed as follows: 1.
To study the degradation characteristics of MDEA contaminated wastewater using UVH
2
O
2
advanced oxidation process and to identify the optimum conditions for the process, for both simulated solution and actual
effluents from refinery. 2.
To identify the formation of intermediate products during the degradation process and to establish the reaction mechanism, the rate equation, kinetic
constants for the mineralization process. 3.
To study the effect of bicarbonate on the degradation of MDEA using UVH
2
O
2
. 4.
To study the biodegradability of the partially degraded wastewater and to estimate the electrical energy efficiency of UVH
2
O
2
process for the degradation of MDEA.
1.4 Scope of the Present Research
In order to achieve the objectives of the present research, the simulated MDEA solution and real effluent solution containing MDEA will be used for this research.
Simulated wastewater was prepared by dissolving MDEA in distilled water, while real wastewater was collected from Petronas Penapisan Melaka PPMSB, Malaysia.
5 Experiments will be conducted to study the individual effect namely intensity of
UV radiation, initial concentration of MDEAH
2
O
2
, initial pH, and temperature on the UVH
2
O
2
oxidation process and based on these results, the effect of individual parameters and also along with their combination effect will be identified using
response surface methodology RSM and the optimum conditions will be estimated. The intermediate products formed, if any, during the mineralization of MDEA,
will be identified for proposing the mineralization mechanism. Meanwhile, by using the TOC profile that will be established, the kinetic parameters and the rate constants
for MDEA mineralization will be estimated. Since the presence of bicarbonate in the UVH
2
O
2
oxidation system affects the rate and the efficiency of the process, an attempt will be made to study the effect of
bicarbonate at different concentration levels and different initial pH condition on the UVH
2
O
2
process. Biodegradability test will be conducted on the partially degraded MDEA solution,
and in order to prove the efficiency of the present process, electrical energy demand of the UVH
2
O
2
process will be estimated.
1.5 Organization of Thesis
