Removal of p-nitrophenol using hydrodynamic cavitation and Fenton chemistry at pilot scale operation

In the current work removal of p-nitrophenol has been investigated using hydrodynamic cavitation, either operated individually or in combination with H₂O₂ and conventional Fenton process. In hydrodynamic cavitation, two different cavitating devices viz. orifice plate and venturi have been used. Effect of different operating parameters such as initial concentration (5 g/l and 10 g/l), inlet pressure (over a range 5.7–42.6 psi) and pH (over a range 2–8) on the extent of removal has been investigated. In conventional Fenton process two loadings of FeSO₄, 0.5 g/l and 1 g/l were investigated and three ratios of FeSO₄:H₂O₂ viz. 1:5, 1:7.5 and 1:10 were used. Removal observed with venturi was higher than with orifice plate in combination with Fenton chemistry. For 5 g/l initial concentration of p-nitrophenol, maximum removal of 63.2% was observed whereas for 10 g/l solution it was 56.2%.