Ultrasonic degradation of oxalic acid in aqueous solutions

This paper describes the ultrasonic degradation of oxalic acid. The effects of ultrasonic power, H2O2, NaCl, external gases on the degradation of oxalic acid were investigated. Reactor flask containing oxalic acid was immersed in the ultrasonic bath with water as the coupling fluid. Representative samples withdrawn were analysed by volumetric titration. Degradation degree of oxalic acid increased with increasing ultrasonic power. It was observed that H2O2 has negative contribution on the degradation of oxalic acid and there was an optimum concentration of NaCl for enhancing the degradation degree of oxalic acid. Although bubbling nitrogen gave higher degradation than that for bubbling air, both gases (for 20 min before sonication and during sonication together) could not help to enhance the degradation of oxalic acid when compared with the degradation without gas passage. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.