Abstract: Novel accelerated methods involving corona discharge, and preferably pulsed streamer high voltage corona discharge, in combination with an effective amount of suitable particles to break down organic contaminants, such as phenol and phenol red, in aqueous mediums are disclosed. More particularly, it has been discovered that the addition of an effective amount of suitable particles to the aqueous phase of a corona reactor greatly affects the properties of the corona discharge, i.e., streamer length, intensity, number of streamers and sparkover voltage, thereby significantly increasing the breakdown voltage (i.e., the maximum voltage prior to sparkover), so that the removal of organic contaminants may be accelerated, since the production of hydroxyl radicals, aqueous electrons and hydrogen peroxide increases with increases in the applied discharge voltage.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic contaminant in an aqueous medium generates H2O2 in the aqueous medium through the use of a corona discharge procedure. A quantity of hydroxyl radicals is generated from the H2O2. An organic contaminant is oxidized in the aqueous medium by reacting the hydroxyl radicals with the organic contaminant, the oxidation being enhanced by methods for facilitating the generation of hydroxyl radicals.