Degradation of pentachlorophenol aqueous solutions using a continuous flow ultrasonic reactor: experimental performance and modelling.

The degradation of aqueous solutions of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in a three-stage sonochemical reactor operating in the continuous flow mode has been investigated. The experimental reactor may be considered as a series of three high-frequency ultrasonic units. The influence of several parameters such as ultrasonic power, reactor volume and volumetric feed flow rate on the reactor performance is reported. Application of classical basic chemical engineering principles leads to a model that enables us to predict the PCP concentration within the reactor. In steady state, experimental conversion rates are shown to be in good agreement with model predictions.