H 2 O 2 Based Oxidation Processes for the Treatment of Real High Strength Aqueous Wastes

Maria Cristina Collivignarelli, Roberta Pedrazzani, Sabrina Sorlini, Alessandro Abbà and Giorgio Bertanza
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Maria Cristina Collivignarelli: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Roberta Pedrazzani: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Sabrina Sorlini: Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Alessandro Abbà: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Giorgio Bertanza: Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: This work was aimed at studying the applicability of H 2 O 2 -based oxidation processes (namely H 2 O 2 /UV, photo-Fenton, and Fenton) for the treatment of six real aqueous wastes. These wastes derived from chemical, pharmaceutical, and detergent production, and were characterised by high COD (chemical oxygen demand) and, in four cases, surfactant concentrations: overall, about 100 tests were conducted. The H 2 O 2 /UV and photo-Fenton processes proved to be very effective in COD removal, the efficiency being greater than 70%. The optimal treatment conditions for the H 2 O 2 /UV process were: 120 min reaction, H 2 O 2 /COD initial dosage ratio = 1/2; the radiation intensity (up to 2000 W·L −1 ) revealed to be a crucial factor, especially in the earlier stage of the process (about 40 min): this aspect can be exploited to reduce the costs related to energy consumption. For the photo-Fenton process the following conditions were chosen: Fe 2+ /H 2 O 2 ratio = 1/30; specific power input = 125 W·L −1 ; H 2 O 2 /COD initial = 1/2; reaction time = 240 min. Photolytic reactions and the presence of dissolved oxygen revealed to be crucial factors for COD removal. The Fenton process, while showing a moderate efficiency (25% COD removal) in the treatment of high loaded wastewaters, provided excellent results in the treatment of aqueous wastes with high content of surfactants. An average yield removal of 70% for non-ionic surfactants (TAS) and 95% for anionic surfactants (MBAS) was obtained, under the following optimal conditions: Fe 2+ /H 2 O 2 = 1/4, H 2 O 2 /COD initial ratio = 1, and contact time = 30 min.

Keywords: advanced oxidation processes; Fenton; H 2 O 2 /UV; hydroxyl radical; photo-Fenton; surfactants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:2:p:244-:d:89913

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