Control of 2-Methylisoborneol and Geosmin by Ozone and Peroxone: A Pilot Study

A pilot-scale study of ozone and PEROXONE (ozone in combination with hydrogen peroxide) for the removal of the odorous compounds 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin in drinking water has been conducted at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The study investigated the effects of ozone dosage, ratio of hydrogen peroxide to ozone (H202/03), and contact time. It was found that MIB and geosmin removal increased with higher applied ozone doses, but longer contact times over the range of 6-12 min were not significant. It was determined that 80-90 percent removal could be achieved with an ozone dose of approximately 4.0 mg/l, as compared to an ozone dose of approximately 2.0 mg/l at a H202/03 ratio of 0.2. Also investigated were the effects of alternative contactor configurations, ferrous sulfate as an alternative coagulant, bromide and ammonia addition, and simulated turbidity on the removal efficiencies of the two odorous compounds.