Introduction

UV/O3 is among the advanced oxidation processes and is used to break down volatile organic compounds. This study was designed to examine the efficiency of the UV/O3 process in the removal of benzene from the airflow and to study the effects of such factors as relative humidity, ozone dosage, and exposure time on the efficiency of this method

Methods and Materials

 The present study is of the experimental type and was performed on a laboratory scale. The laboratory equipment consisted of an air pump, an injection pump, mixing chamber, rotameter, an ozone generator, a 15-Watt UV-C lamp, and a humidity generating system (consisting of an impinger and a heater). 80 ppm of benzene was exposed to the combined UV/O3 process under varying conditions of different humidity levels, different ozone dosages, and different exposure times. The different concentrations of benzene before and after exposure to the afore-mentioned process were measured and compared. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and three-way ANOVA

Results

 The findings showed that all three factors of relative humidity, ozone dosage, and exposure time affected the efficiency of the UV/O3 process. Increasing the relative humidity enhanced the efficiency of the system in removing benzene up to %60. Additionally, increasing ozone dosage and exposure time led to augmentation of the benzene removal in the UV/O3 process

 Conclusion 

Given the ease of use and possibility of performing the reaction under the normal conditions of the environment, the UV/O3 method can be used as an effective method in removing benzene from the airflow. Altering variables such as relative humidity, ozone dosage, and exposure time can enhance the efficiency of the system