Decolourization and mineralization of commercial reactive dyes by using homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton and UV/Fenton processes

The oxidative decolourization and mineralization of three reactive dyes in separately prepared aqueous solutions C.I. Reactive Yellow 3 (RY3), C.I. Reactive Blue 2 (RB2) and C.I. Reactive Violet 2 (RV2) by using homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton and UV/Fenton processes have been investigated. The effects of H(2)O(2), Fe(2+) and Fe(0) concentrations, Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2) and Fe(0)/H(2)O(2) molar ratios at pH 3 and T=23+/-1 degrees C have been studied. Optimal operational conditions for the efficient degradation of all three dye solutions (100 mg L(-1)) were found to be Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2)=0.5mM/20mM and Fe(0)/H(2)O(2)=2mM/1mM. The experimental results showed that the homogeneous Fenton process employing UV irradiation was the most effective. By using this process, the high levels of mineralization (78-84%) and decolourization (95-100%) were achieved. Pseudo-first-order degradation rate constants were obtained from the batch experimental data.