Fe-zeolites as catalysts for wet peroxide oxidation of organic groundwater contaminants: Mechanistic studies and applicability tests

Two types of iron-containing zeolites, Fe-ZSM5 and Fe-Beta, were tested as catalysts for wet peroxide oxidation of organic groundwater contaminants such as trichloroethene (TCE) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) at nearly neutral pH. Adsorption of TCE is more favorable on the ZSM5 zeolite whereas MTBE is effectively adsorbed on Beta zeolite. Batch experiments showed that the efficiency of utilization of H₂O₂ for contaminant degradation is more favorable for the catalyst with the higher adsorptive enrichment of the respective contaminant. Laboratory-scale column experiments, including the use of contaminated groundwater, were conducted in order to test the stability of the Fe-zeolites under flow-through conditions.