甲基叔丁基醚（MTBE）是一种无色合成挥发性有机化合物（VOC），从天然气中提取，添加到美国的汽油中，以增加辛烷值，提高发动机性能，并通过降低空气中的一氧化碳和臭氧水平，表面上改善空气质量。尽管MTBE对空气质量有这些好处，但它已成为一个严重的水质问题。由于其高水溶性和缓慢的自然衰减或生物降解，MTBE已在全国各地用于饮用水的地下水、湖泊和水库中被发现。美国环境保护署（U.S.Environmental Protection Agency）的测试和评估机构目前正在评估一个成套的小型高级氧化工艺（AOP）系统，以氧化和去除饮用水中的MTBE。 该系统采用臭氧和紫外线联合照射，产生高活性和氧化性羟基自由基。本文概述了该系统，并报告了使用该AOP系统的初步结果。

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a colorless synthetic volatile organiccompound (VOC) derived from natural gas and added to gasoline in the United States to increase octane levels, boost engine performance, and ostensibly improve air quality by reducing carbon monoxide and ozone levels in the air. Despite these benefits to air quality, MTBE has emerged as a significant water quality problem. Due to its high water solubility and slow natural attenuation or biodegradation, MTBE has been discovered in groundwater, lakes, and reservoirs used for drinking water throughout the country. The Test and Evaluation Facility at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently evaluating a packaged small-scale advanced oxidation process (AOP) system to oxidize and remove MTBE from drinking water supplies. This system uses combined ozone and ultraviolet irradiation that produces highly reactive and oxidizing hydroxyl radicals. This paper provides an overview of the system and reports on preliminary results using this AOP system.