Removal of organic contaminants in paper pulp effluents by AOPs: an economic study

The degradation of the organic content of a bleaching Kraft mill effluent was carried out using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). The study was focused on the identification of the AOP, or combination of AOPs, that showed the highest efficiency together with the lowest cost. Direct UV photolysis (UV), TiO₂ assisted‐photocatalysis (TiO₂/UV), Fenton, Fenton‐like, and photo‐Fenton reactions (Fe(II)/H₂O/UV), UV‐assisted ozonation (O₃/UV) and addition of Fe²⁺ and/or H₂O₂ to the TiO₂/UV and the O₃/UV systems, were used for the degradation of a conventional cellulose bleaching effluent. The effluent was characterized by the general parameters TOC, COD and color, and analyzed for chlorinated low molecular weight compounds using GC–MS. The costs of the systems per unit of TOC reduction were compared. Fenton, Fenton‐like and photo‐Fenton reactions achieved better levels of TOC degradation than photocatalysis and with lower cost's than photocatalytic treatments. Ozonation is an effective but rather expensive process. The use of UVA light, however, increased the effectiveness of ozonation with a significant decrease (>25%) in the operational cost. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modeling dye degradation kinetic using dark- and photo-Fenton type processes

Dark- and photo-Fenton type processes, Fe²⁺/H₂O₂, Fe³⁺/H₂O₂, Fe⁰/H₂O₂, UV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂, UV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ and UV/Fe⁰/H₂O₂, were applied for the treatment of model colored wastewater containing two reactive dyes, C.I. Reactive Blue 49 and C.I. Reactive Blue 137, and degradation kinetics were compared. Dye degradation was monitored by the means of UV/VIS, adsorbable organic halides (AOX) and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, thus determining decolorization and dechlorination of triazine structure, as well as mineralization of model colored wastewater. Both dark- and photo-Fenton type processes were proven to be very efficient for color removal; ≥98% was achieved in all cases. Significant improvements in the mineralization of studied dyes were achieved by the assistance of UV light, as it was expected. It was demonstrated that the degradation kinetic of applied dyes depended on the presence of UV light, as well as type of iron catalyst and dye structure. On bases of the obtained experimental results, the mathematical models were developed describing dye degradation kinetics in all studied systems. Since UV light was used in order to enhance the efficiency of dark-Fenton type processes, mathematical model describing dye degradation by UV photolysis providing the values of quantum yields for each of the dye was developed and incorporated in model for photo-Fenton type processes. A sensitivity analysis for the evaluation of importance of each reaction used in mathematical models was also performed.     

Advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid 2: Photo‐assisted Fenton oxidation

Oxidation of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid in aqueous solution by the photo‐assisted Fenton reaction (Fe²⁺ + H₂O₂ + UV) has been studied. The effects of ferrous ion concentration (0.05, 0.14 and 0.29 mmol dm^?3), temperature (10, 20, 30 and 40 °C), and initial hydrogen peroxide concentration (0.7, 1.4, 2.2 and 2.9 mmol dm^?3) on the p‐hydroxybenzoic acid conversion were established. Experimental results indicate that the kinetics of this oxidation process fits pseudo‐first‐order kinetics well. The overall kinetic rate constant was split into two components: direct oxidation by UV radiation (photolysis) and oxidation by free radicals (mainly OH·) generated in the system. The importance of these two reaction paths for each specific value of ferrous ion concentration, temperature and initial hydrogen peroxide concentration was evaluated. A semi‐empirical expression is proposed for the overall reaction rate which takes into account both oxidation pathways and is a function of operating variables. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Fe2+ and Fe0 Applied Photo‐Fenton Processes on Sludge Disintegration

The disintegration of waste active sludge was investigated by photo‐Fenton processes. A batch study was conducted to evaluate parameters, such as Fe²⁺ and Fe⁰ ions and H₂O₂, governing the activated sludge integration by the photo‐Fenton process. Under optimum conditions, the concentration of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) with the classical Fenton process (CFP) increased very rapidly in the first five minutes due to the sufficient presence of reaction components in the medium, and then the rate of increase declined. In the modified Fenton process (FTP), the SCOD concentration increased more slowly as metallic iron powder must first be dissolved. The photo‐Fenton process proved to be a feasible and efficient process for the disintegration of waste sludge.     

Fenton‐ and Fenton‐Like AOPs for Wastewater Treatment: From Laboratory‐To‐Plant‐Scale Application

Abstract

Fenton‐and Fenton‐like AOPs systems have been utilized for the oxidative degradation of some chlorinated pollutants such as chloral hydrate or 1,1,1‐trichloroethane, and for the treatment of real industrial wastewaters. Both ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄ · 7 H₂O) and Mohr's salt (NH₄)₂Fe(SO₄)₂. 6 H₂O have been used as Fe²⁺ ion sources. With Mohr's salt (MS) the Fenton‐and Fenton‐like reaction has been successfully carried out under acidic (pH 3) and neutral (pH 7) reaction conditions. The new Fenton‐like system utilizes zero‐valent iron (Fe^o) instead of ferrous sulfate has been applied for the 1,1,1‐trichloroethane and chloral hydrate degradation. Similarly, the application of catechol‐ and hydroquinone‐driven Fenton reaction for the degradation of chloral hydrate under acidic and neutral pH is a new Fenton‐like AOPs approach. The photo‐Fenton‐like reactions such as Fe³⁺/hν, Fe²⁺/H₂O₂/hν, and ferrioxalate system have been also studied for the degradation of chloral hydrate. As an irradiation source a daily light or sun light have been used. In comparison with photoreactor experiments the best system was observed to be Fe³⁺/hν. In some experiments the influence of standing time prolongation after Fenton reaction on the final degradation efficiency due to hydrolysis of intermediates such as phosgene (CCl₂?O) has also been studied. The Fenton reaction was successfully utilized for the treatment of real industrial wastewaters, in two cases even in plant‐scale applications.     

Removal of metsulfuron methyl by Fenton reagent

The removal of metsulfuron methyl (MeS)—a sulfonyl urea herbicide from contaminated water was investigated by advanced oxidation process (AOP) using Fenton method. The optimum dose of Fenton reagent (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) was 10 mg/L Fe²⁺ and 60 mg/L H₂O₂ for an initial MeS concentration ([MeS]₀) range of 0–80 mg/L. The Fenton process was effective under pH 3. The degradation efficiency of MeS decreased by more than 70% at pH > 3 (pH 4.5 and 7). The initial Fe²⁺ concentration ([Fe²⁺]₀) in the Fenton reagent affected the degradation efficiency, rate and kinetics. The degradation of MeS at optimum dose of Fenton reagent was more than 95% for [MeS] ₀ of 0–40 mg/L and the degradation time was less than 30 min. The determination of residual MeS concentration after Fenton oxidation by UV spectrophotometry was affected by the interferences from Fenton reagent. The estimation of residual MeS concentration after Fenton oxidation by high pressure/performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) was interference free and represented the actual concentration of MeS and does not include the by-products of Fenton oxidation. The degradation kinetics of MeS was modelled by second order reactions involving 8 rate constants. The two reaction constants directly involving MeS were fitted using the experimental data and the remaining constants were selected from previously reported values. The model fit for MeS and the subsequent prediction of H₂O₂ were found to be within experimental error tolerances.     

Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol in aqueous solution by sono-Fenton method

This study presents the results of the Sono-Fenton process for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP). The influential parameters such as H₂O₂, Fe²⁺ and pH for the Sono-Fenton process were investigated. Sono-Fenton method was found to be the best one for degradation efficiency of DCP when compared with that of the Fenton process. The optimum concentrations for the degradation of DCP using conventional Fenton’s method were found to be 20 mg/L of Fe²⁺ and 580 mg/L of H₂O₂ at pH 2.5. In the case of Sono-Fenton, the optimal concentrations were found to be 10 mg/L of Fe²⁺ and 400 mg/L of H₂O₂ at pH 2.5. Sono-Fenton method resulted in the reduction of required Fe²⁺ concentration (50%) and H₂O₂ concentration (31%). In addition, this method could be applicable even at pH 5.0 and a degradation efficiency of DCP was 77.6%. Kinetic studies for the degradation of DCP proved that the degradation of DCP tends to follow pseudo first order reaction and the rate constant was found to be 7 × 10⁻⁴ min⁻¹.     

Removal of diazinon by various advanced oxidation processes

Diazinon is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide that is an important pollutant in aquatic environments. The chemical removal of diazinon has been studied using UV radiation, ozone, Fenton's reagent, UV radiation plus hydrogen peroxide, ozone plus hydrogen peroxide and photo‐Fenton as oxidation processes. In the photodegradation process the observed quantum yields had values ranging between 2.42 × 10^?2 and 6.36 × 10^?2 mol E^?1. Similarly, the ozonation reaction gave values for the rate constant ranging between 0.100 and 0.193 min^?1. In the combined systems UV/H₂O₂ and O₃/H₂O₂ the partial contributions to the global oxidation reaction of the direct and radical pathways were deduced. In the Fenton's reagent and photo‐Fenton systems, the mechanism of reaction has been partially discussed, and the predominant role of the radical pathway pointed out. Additionally, the rate constant for the reaction between diazinon and the hydroxyl radicals was determined, with the value 8.4 × 10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1 obtained. A comparison of the different oxidation systems tested under the same operating conditions revealed that UV radiation alone had a moderate oxidation efficiency, which is enhanced in the case of ozone, while the most efficient oxidant is the photo‐Fenton system. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Degradation of an Anthraquinone Dye by Ozone/Fenton: Response Surface Approach and Degradation Pathway

A coupled O₃/Fenton process is applied to study the degradation ef?ciency of organic pollutants. The C.I. Acid Blue 80 (AB80), a kind of anthraquinone dye, is used as target contaminant. The results show that the combination of ozonation and Fenton process is a highly effective way of removing color from wastewater. Response surface methodology is applied to optimize the working conditions and the effects and interactions among initial pH (X₁), mole ratio of H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ (X₂) and ozone flux (X₃) are investigated. Regression equations determines that the best condition is that initial pH = 2.85, [H₂O₂]/[Fe²⁺] = 18.10 and ozone flux = 55.70 L.h^?1. It turns out the relative error of 1.32% with the predicted model when the actual value which is 88.76% in the best condition, compared to the predictive value of 88.95% under same condition. UV-Vis and FT-IR analysis are used as an assisted technique to study degradation mechanism during the oxidation process. The intermediate products are determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis and the plausible degradation pathway is proposed.     

Comparative study of chemical and electrochemical Fenton treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater

The technological and economic aspects of using the Fenton process to treat industrial wastewater containing morpholyne and diethylethanolamine, as well as sodium salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid and of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid based on data obtained in pilot tests are discussed. Chemical Fenton technology was tested using commercial 30–35% solutions of H₂O₂ and iron (II) salts, which was followed by the additional electrochemical destruction of organic pollutants in an undivided reactor with catalytic stable anodes (CSA) and 1 g L⁻¹ NaCl as a supporting electrolyte and a source of active chlorine. An alternative electrochemical method involving the electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide in polluted water at the gas -diffusion cathode was studied both with the addition of ferrous salt to the electrolyte prior to electrolysis (in-cell electro-Fenton) as well as with the post-electrolysis addition of Fe²⁺ in another reactor (ex-cell electro-Fenton). The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in concentrations sufficient for the mineralization of organic pollutants was achieved in both cases with near 100% current efficiency. In comparison with wastewater treatment processes which use a purchased hydrogen peroxide reagent, the Fenton-like processes achieved an economic savings of as much as 64.5% in running costs due to the on-site electrochemical generation of H₂O₂. Preparative electrolysis in the membrane reactor showed higher current efficiencies and lower specific energy consumptions for H₂O₂ electrogeneration in comparison with the results of tests carried out in an undivided cell.     

Effect of UV Radiation on the Removal of Carboxylic Acids from Water by H2O2 and O3 in the Presence of Metallic Ions

The effect of UV radiation on the removal of formic, oxalic and maleic acids from water by metallic ion (Fe²⁺ or Cu²⁺)/H₂O₂ and metallic ion/O₃ was studied and compared. The results showed that metallic ion/O₃/UV has higher efficiency than metallic ion/H₂O₂/UV for oxalic acid removal. UV radiation significantly increases the efficiency of metallic ion/H₂O₂ for formic and maleic acids removal while its effect on the efficiency of metallic ion/O₃ for formic acid removal is minor_. However, at pH 2, O₃ alone showed higher efficiency than metallic ion/H₂O₂/UV for formic acid removal. Contrary to the relative efficiency of metallic ions in the previous systems, Cu²⁺ exhibited higher rate than Fe²⁺ for the removal of the degradation products of maleic acid by O₃. UV radiation exhibited a minor effect on the efficiency of Cu²⁺/O₃, while it exhibited a large effect on the efficiency of Fe²⁺/O₃ for the removal of the degradation products of maleic acid.     

Solar photoassisted anodic oxidation of carboxylic acids in presence of Fe using a boron-doped diamond electrode

This paper reports a comparative study on the anodic oxidation of 2.5 l of 50 mg l⁻¹ TOC of formic, oxalic, acetic, pyruvic or maleic acid in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solutions of pH 3.0 with and without 1.0 mM Fe³⁺ as catalyst in the dark or under solar irradiation. Experiments have been performed with a batch recirculation flow plant containing a one-compartment filter-press electrolytic reactor equipped with a 20 cm² boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a 20 cm² stainless steel cathode, and coupled to a solar photoreactor. This system gradually accumulates H₂O₂ from dimerization of hydroxyl radical (OH) formed at the anode surface from water oxidation. Carboxylic acids in direct anodic oxidation are mainly oxidized by direct charge transfer and/or OH produced on BDD, while their Fe(III) complexes formed in presence of Fe³⁺ can also react with OH produced from Fenton reaction between regenerated Fe²⁺ with electrosynthesized H₂O₂ and/or photo-Fenton reaction. Fast photolysis of Fe(III)-oxalate and Fe(III)-pyruvate complexes under the action of sunlight also takes place. Chemical and photochemical trials of the same solutions have been made to better clarify the role of the different catalysts. Solar photoassisted anodic oxidation in presence of Fe³⁺ strongly accelerates the removal of all carboxylic acids in comparison with direct anodic oxidation, except for acetic acid that is removed at similar rate in both cases. This novel electrochemical advanced oxidation process allows more rapid mineralization of formic, oxalic and maleic acids, without any significant effect on the conversion of acetic acid into CO₂. The synergistic action of Fe³⁺ and sunlight in anodic oxidation can then be useful for wastewater remediation when oxalic and formic acids are formed as ultimate carboxylic acids of organic pollutants, but its performance is expected to strongly decay in the case of generation of persistent acetic acid during the degradation process.     

Comparison of a new immobilized Fe3+ catalyst with homogeneous Fe3+–H2O2 system for degradation of 2,4‐dinitrophenol

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneous Fenton catalysts have been used to treat various organic pollutants in an aqueous environment. The present study has investigated the degradation of 2,4‐dinitrophenol (2,4‐DNP), a priority pollutant generated by such industries as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, pigments and dyes. Degradation of 2,4‐DNP (100 mg L^?1) was studied using Fe³⁺ loaded on Al₂O₃ as a heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of H₂O₂, and the efficiency compared with the homogeneous Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ based Fenton‐like process. The effect of different parameters for both processes, such as catalyst loading, H₂O₂ concentration, initial solution pH, initial substrate concentration and temperature were investigated and the optimum operating conditions determined. RESULTS: Under optimal operating conditions of the homogeneous system ([Fe³⁺] 125 mg L^?1; [H₂O₂] 250 mg L^?1; pH 3; room temperature), 92.5% degradation was achieved in 35 min for an initial 2,4‐DNP concentration of 100 mg L^?1. In the case of immobilized Fe (Fe³⁺–Al₂O₃ catalyst), degradation improved to 98.7% under the condition 10 wt% [Fe³⁺–Al₂O₃] 1 g L^?1 catalyst loading; [H₂O₂] 250 mg L^?1; pH 3; at room temperature for the same duration. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the stability and reusability of the prepared heterogeneous catalyst. This process is a viable technique for treatment of aqueous solutions containing contaminants. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Heterogeneous fenton and photo‐fenton oxidation for paracetamol removal using iron containing ZSM‐5 zeolite as catalyst

Paracetamol is commonly found in wastewaters, as a consequence of its high consumption and incomplete elimination by conventional treatments. Homogenous (photo‐)Fenton oxidation has proved efficient for its remediation, but it suffers from uneasy dissolved iron recovery. Therefore this work examines the performance and stability of an iron containing zeolite (Fe/MFI) as catalyst for this reaction. Effects of reaction parameters (pH, temperature, catalyst and H₂O₂ concentrations, UV/vis irradiation) are investigated in batch conditions, by comparing the pollutant and Total Organic Carbon disappearance rates in solution, as well as the overall mineralization yield (including solid phase) and oxidant consumption. At near neutral pH paracetamol can be fully converted after 5 h, while TOC removal reaches up to 60%. Finally, thanks to good catalyst stability (low leaching), a continuous process coupling oxidation and membrane filtration is proposed, showing constant TOC conversion over 40 h and iron loss in the permeate <0.3 ppm. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 669–679, 2017     

Hydroxylation of phenol with H2O2 over transition metal containing nano-sized hollow core mesoporous shell carbon catalyst

The catalytic performance of transition metal (Fe²⁺ or Cu²⁺) containing nano-sized hol low core mesoporous shell carbon (HCMSC) heterogeneous catalysts for the hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in water was investigated in a batch reactor. The metal-containing HCMSC catalyst showed higher activity than the same metal ion-exchanged zeolites. The nature of the metal and its content in the HCMSC had remarkable influence on the reaction results under the typical reaction conditions (PhOH/H₂O₂=3, reaction temperature=60 ‡C). Fe²⁺ containing HCMSC catalyst showed high catalytic activity with phenol conversion of 29%, selectivity to catechol (CAT) and hydroquinone (HQ) about 85%, H₂O₂ effective conversion about 70% and selectivity to benzoquinone (BQ) below 1% in the batch system.     

UV-induced Persulfate Oxidation of Organic Micropollutants in Water Matrices

ABSTRACT

The efficacies of UV photolysis, UV-activated persulfate (UV/PS), and combined UV/Fe²⁺-activated persulfate (UV/PS/Fe²⁺) systems for degrading of different organic micropollutants in ultrapure water and groundwater were examined and compared. The studied micropollutants belonging to the different classes involved an artificial sweetener acesulfame K (ACE), beta-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX), and endocrine disrupting compound 4-nonylphenol (NP). Among the studied systems, the UV/PS/Fe²⁺ process showed the highest performance both in degradation and in mineralization of ACE (UVA-induced systems; k_app = 0.126 1/min and 80.3% TOC removal) and AMX (UVC-induced systems; k_app = 1.383 1/min and 85.4% TOC removal), followed by the UV/PS process. In the case of NP trials, the application of UVC/PS systems was the most promising, and after careful adjustment of oxidant concentration, it demonstrated a considerable improvement in the target compound degradation (at a NP/PS molar ratio of 1/4 k_app = 0.024 1/min) compared with the UVC photolysis (k_app = 0.016 1/min). Irrespective of the applied UV-induced treatment process, the efficacy of target compounds degradation was lower in groundwater as compared with ultrapure water trials.     

Mineralization of herbicide 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid in aqueous medium by anodic oxidation, electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton

The mineralization of acidic aqueous solutions with 230 and 115 ppm of herbicide 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) in 0.05 M Na₂SO₄ of pH 3.0 has been studied by electro-Fenton and photoelectro-Fenton using a Pt anode and an O₂-diffusion cathode, where oxidizing hydroxyl radicals are produced from Fenton's reaction between added Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂ generated by the cathode. While electro-Fenton only yields 60-70% mineralization, photoelectro-Fenton allows a fast and complete depollution of herbicide solutions, even at low currents, by the action of UV irradiation. In both treatments, the initial chlorine is rapidly released to the medium as chloride ion. Comparative electrolyses by anodic oxidation in the absence and presence of electrogenerated H₂O₂ give very poor degradation. The dicamba decay follows a pseudo-first-order reaction, as determined by reverse-phase chromatography. Formic, maleic and oxalic acids have been detected in the electrolyzed solutions by ion-exclusion chromatography. In electro-Fenton, all formic acid is transformed into CO₂, and maleic acid is completely converted into oxalic acid, remaining stable Fe³⁺-oxalato complexes in the solution. The fast mineralization of such complexes by UV light explains the highest oxidative ability of photoelectro-Fenton.     

Parametric Study and Process Evaluation of Fenton Oxidation: Application of Sequential Response Surface Methodology and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System Computing Technique

The Fenton oxidation is rarely used industrially due to its high operating cost, large chemical consumption, excessive sludge production, and operability only within a narrow pH range. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the Fenton oxidation to maximize its ability to degrade high-strength dye wastewater at reduced operating cost. Optimization tools are among the most commonly used tool to maximize the degradation of pollutants. The current study aims at evaluating the applicability of response surface methodology (RSM) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to optimize the degradation of Remazol brilliant blue through the Fenton oxidation. The effects of four operating parameters including dye concentration, retention time, and mass ratios of Dye:Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂:Fe²⁺ were evaluated by applying RSM. According to the RSM results, color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 99.9% and 84%, respectively, were obtained at 120?min at the COD value of 795?mg/L, mass ratios of Dye:Fe²⁺?=?16, H₂O₂:Fe²⁺?=?15 and pH?=?3. ANFIS was also used to evaluate the most influential operating parameters on the COD removal based on the RSM results. The ANFIS results showed that the mass ratio of H₂O₂:Fe²⁺ had the most significant contribution to the COD removal. High R² values (≥90%) indicated that the predictions of RSM and ANFIS models for COD removal were acceptable. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that RSM and ANFIS were able to determine the most significant operating parameters and optimum ratios of pollutant:oxidant:catalyst, which reduced the operating cost directly.     

Mineralisation of the antibiotic amoxicillin in pure and surface waters by artificial UVA‐ and sunlight‐induced Fenton oxidation

BACKGROUND: The degradation and mineralisation of the antibiotic amoxicillin by photo‐Fenton reactions, mediated by artificial UVA or solar irradiation, were investigated. Experiments were conducted with 30 mg L^?1 amoxicillin solutions prepared with deionised or surface water at Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂ concentrations in the range 0.0179–0.0895 and 1–10 mmol L^?1, respectively. Black‐light irradiation at 365 nm was provided by a 13 W m^?2 lamp, while samples were exposed to sunlight at 20 W m^?2 for solar experiments. RESULTS: In all cases, quantitative amoxicillin degradation occurred within 5 min and this was accompanied by lower mineralisation rates. Mineralisation followed first‐order kinetics with respect to organic carbon content and it was not affected by the water matrix with either type of illumination. Solar‐induced reactions were only marginally faster than artificial irradiation. Increasing the H₂O₂ to Fe²⁺ concentration ratio increases the extent of mineralisation up to a point beyond which degradation is impeded due to radical scavenging associated with the high concentrations of the Fenton reagents. CONCLUSION: Amoxicillin is readily degradable by homogeneous photocatalysis, being converted to more stable intermediates as indicated by lower mineralisation rates. The process can be driven by solar irradiation, thus providing a sustainable treatment technology. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

The sonochemical decolorisation of textile azo dye CI Reactive Orange 127

In the present study, Fenton and sono‐Fenton processes were applied to the oxidative decolorisation of synthetic textile wastewater including CI Reactive Orange 127 and polyvinyl alcohol. Process optimisation [pH, ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)], kinetic studies and their comparison were carried out for both of the processes. The sono‐Fenton process was performed by indirect sonication in an ultrasonic water bath, which was operated at a fixed 35‐kHz frequency and 80 W power. The optimum conditions were determined as [Fe²⁺] = 20 mg l^?1, [H₂O₂] = 15 mg l^?1 and pH = 3 for the Fenton process and [Fe²⁺] = 25 mg l^?1, [H₂O₂] = 5 mg l^?1 and pH = 3 for the sono‐Fenton process. The colour removals were 89.9% and 91.8% by the Fenton and sono‐Fenton processes, respectively. The highest decolorisation was achieved by the sono‐Fenton process because of the production of some oxidising agents as a result of sonication. Consequently, ultrasonic irradiation in the sono‐Fenton process slightly increased the colour removal to 91.8%, while decreasing the hydrogen peroxide dosage to one‐third of that of the Fenton process.