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Equilibrium and kinetic adsorption of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) onto three coal-based activated carbons, one coconut-based activated carbon, and two zeolites are elucidated in this study. Natural organic matter (NOM) and MTBE competed for the adsorption of activated carbons to different extents. The ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) combined with the equivalent background compound (EBC) model can adequately describe the NOM competition and predict the isotherms of MTBE onto the activated carbons. No competitive adsorption was observed for one of the zeolites, mordenite, due to the molecular effect. Besides, the aperture size, and the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of the zeolite may also play an important role in the adsorption of MTBE from the aqueous phase. The surface diffusion model accurately simulated the transport of MTBE within the adsorbents employed in different water matrices. For all the activated carbons tested, the surface diffusivity of MTBE in natural water was nearly equal to that in deionized water, indicating that no apparently hindering effect occurs. A much slower adsorption kinetic of mordenite in natural water was observed since the opening apertures on mordenite may be appreciably hindered and blocked by NOM.

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Methyl tert-butylether (MTBE) used as fuel oxygenate poses problems for water suppliers since it is persistent in the aquatic environment and the removal efficiency by conventional water treatment methods (aeration or activated carbon filtration) is rather low. Substitution by other ether compounds such as ethyl tert-butylether (ETBE), tert-amylmethylether (TAME) or di-isopropylether (DIPE) is discussed, however, their environmental behaviour is similar to that of MTBE. Experiments investigating the elimination efficiency of AOP were carried out in tap water and water from Lake Constance. The elimination efficiency for all treatment processes was found to follow the order: MTBE << TAME approximately equal ETBE < DIPE For all compounds under investigation, neither pure ozonation nor UV irradiation yield a considerable concentration decline. Only the formation of highly reactive OH radicals shows a potential for removing the ethers from water. Therefore the addition of H2O2 in equimolar ratio prior to ozone admixing proved to be quite efficient. The application of combined UV/H2O2 showed good results in all cases; the best concentration decline was achieved with UV/ozone. The rate of elimination of the three substitutes for MTBE (ETBE, TAME and DIPE) is higher in all processes; nevertheless, no complete removal could be achieved. Therefore, from the point of view of water suppliers, the use of other ethers as substitute for MTBE is posing the same problems as MTBE.