Rapid and simple spectrophotometric determination of persulfate in water by microwave assisted decolorization of Methylene Blue.

A rapid and simple method for determination of persulfate in aqueous solution was developed. The method is based on the rapid reaction of persulfate with Methylene Blue (MB) via domestic microwave activation, which can promote the activation of persulfate and decolorize MB quickly. The depletion of MB at 644 nm (the maximum absorption wavelength of MB) is in proportion to the increasing concentration of persulfate in aqueous solution. Linear calibration curve was obtained in the range 0-1.5 mmol/L, with a limit of detection of 0.0028 mmol/L. The reaction time is rapid (within 60 sec), which is much shorter than that used for conventional methods. Compared with existing analytical methods, it need not any additives, especially colorful Fe2+, and need not any pretreatment for samples, such as pH adjustment.

[Degradation of the absorbed methyl mercaptan by persulfate in alkaline solution].

Methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) is considered to be an important contributor to odors. It is a toxic, corrosive and acid gas. The absorption of CH3SH by alkaline solution is one of the most widely used processes, but the remained solution should be further treated. The degradation of dissolved CH3S- by persulfate (PS) oxidation has not been reported. CH3SH is absorbed in alkaline solution and degraded by PS oxidation using a recycling continuous system for absorption and degradation. The stability of PS under alkaline conditions is discussed. The influence of different reaction conditions on the absorption rate and degradation rate is also studied. It was observed that PS was relatively stability under alkaline conditions and the dissolved CH3S- could be degraded effectively by PS. The absorption rate of CH3SH first increased and then decreased with the increasing concentration of PS. The degradation rate of CH3S- increased with the increasing concentration of PS. It was also observed that the efficiency between absorption and degradation had been significantly increased with the increasing of pH. In the conditions of pH = 12, fixed CH3SH concentration of 80 mg x m(-3) with a fixed gas flow rate of 1.5 L x min(-1), 1.4 g x L(-1) PS, 90% of the dissolved CH3S- can be degraded.