COMBINED DESORPTION AND OXIDATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON (PAH) USING HYDROXYPORPYL-ß-CYCLODEXTRIN (HPCD)

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of a new integrated desorption-oxidation process for the remediation of contaminated waters and sediments. Specifically, this study examined the potential of using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD), a modified cyclic sugar, and a blend of oxidants commercially known as OxyZone® (U.S. patent No. 7,667,087) for the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated sites. Laboratory scale batch experiments show that HPCD increases the aqueous concentration of PAH, making a greater mass of contaminant available for subsequent oxidation by a single slug of OxyZone®. These findings establish the potential for utilizing HPCD and OxyZone® as an integrated desorption-oxidation process for the remediation of low solubility contaminants such as PAH.