Removal of Methyl-tert-butyl Ether from Water by a Pulsed Arc Electrohydraulic Discharge System

The removal of methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from water by a pulsed arc electrohydraulic discharge (PAED) system was investigated experimentally at the laboratory scale. The effects of arc electrode gap, detention time and initial solution pH on the efficacy of MTBE treatment by PAED were investigated. A 0.3 kJ/pulse spark-gap-type power supply was employed in combination with a 3.0 L flow-through reactor. Experimental results showed that: 1) oxidation reactions are induced by this PAED system; 2) removal efficiency increases with increasing cumulative input energy (kW·h/m3 or kJ/L); 3) removal efficiency decreases with increasing arc electrode gap; and 4) initial solution pH does not have a significant effect on the efficacy of MTBE removal by PAED when the water matrix is buffered prior to treatment.