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Adsorption and Abiotic Degradation of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE)

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Fuel Oxygenates

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC5))

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Abstract

This chapter explores the role of abiotic reactions such as acid catalysis (hydrolysis) as well as the adsorption of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and other fuel oxygenates in environmental issues as the remediation of these substances is notoriously difficult. First of all, these methods are briefly classified with other abiotic technologies. The suitability of hydrolysis and adsorption for the remediation of water contaminated by fuel oxygenates is then discussed in detail, with information being provided about the principle of the reactions, potential catalysts and sorbents, limitations of the reactions, and practical implications. To conclude, the possible application of hydrolysis and adsorption in combination with other remediation techniques is also examined.

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Oehm, C., Stefan, C., Werner, P., Fischer, A. (2007). Adsorption and Abiotic Degradation of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE). In: Barceló, D. (eds) Fuel Oxygenates. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72641-8_9

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