Student Work

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) removal with zero-valent iron and hydrogen peroxide

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Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is an additive in gasoline, that was used during the phase out of lead to maintain octane ratings, and later used to increase the amount of oxygen in gasoline to create clearer burning fuel. Due to gasoline spills, leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) and leaking underground fuel tanks (LUFT), MTBE has contaminated underground aquifers and groundwater that lead to drinking water sources. Contamination is a significant issue in drinking water because MTBE is considered a possible carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency and has a very high solubility, therefore, resisting removal from water. The removal technique discussed here is a variation on Fenton's reagent; the use of iron and hydrogen peroxide to convert the MTBE molecule into harmless components. The variation is the iron source. Fenton's typically used a liquid form of iron, FeSO; here a solid form of iron, steel wool, is used to reduce the cost of continuously adding the liquid iron.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
Creator
Publisher
Identifier
  • 04D118M
Advisor
Year
  • 2004
Date created
  • 2004-01-01
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