A feasibility study of dechlorination of chloroform in water by ultrasound in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

Abstract
Dechlorination of chloroform in water with ultrasound in combination with hydrogen peroxide has been studied. It is believed that the decomposition of chloroform is accomplished by free radical reaction. The experimental results indicate that the optimal hydrogen peroxide concentration has a molar ratio of H2O2:CHCl3 = 50:1. The addition of ferrous ions (20 mg L−1) into solution will increase the efficiency while the addition of methanol will decrease the efficiency. Under optimal conditions the efficiency in removal of chloroform can reach 94%. A kinetic plot shows that the overall reaction appears to be a first order reaction.