Decolorization of dyes using ozone in a gas-induced reactor

Treatability of aqueous dye solutions using a new gas-induced ozonator was investigated, as well as feasibility of decolorizing dyes using ozone, the ozone utilization efficiency, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) under various pH values and initial dye concentrations. Experimental results indicate that all of the dyes used can be decolorized within 15 min. For most of the dyes used, ozone decolorizing was more rapid in acidic media. The ozone utilization efficiency can be raised to 90% or higher with proper agitation speeds. The ozone utilization efficiency and COD removal rate increased with an increase in pH value; however, the COD removal remained nearly constant for various categories of dye regardless of the initial dye concentration. The kinetics of decolorization were also examined.