The feasibility of using combined Fenton-SBR for antibiotic wastewater treatment

The first part of this study examined the effect of operating conditions on Fenton pretreatment of an antibiotic wastewater containing amoxicillin and cloxacillin. The optimum H2O2/COD and H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratios were 2.5 and 20, respectively. Under the optimum operating conditions, complete degradation of the antibiotics occurred in 1 min. In the second part of this study, a bench-scale SBR was operated for 239 days and fed with Fenton-treated wastewater under different operating conditions. BOD5/COD ratio below 0.40 of the Fenton-treated wastewater had negative effect on the SBR performance. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h was found suitable for the SBR and increasing HRT to 24 and 48 h did not significantly improve the SBR efficiency. Statistical analysis (two-way ANOVA) was made on the results to optimize the H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio and Fenton reaction time and it was found possible to reduce the Fe2+ dose and increase the Fenton reaction time. Under the best operating conditions (H2O2/COD molar ratio 2.5, H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio 150, Fenton reaction time 120 min and HRT 12 h), the combined Fenton-SBR process efficiency was 89% for sCOD removal and the SBR effluent met the discharge standards. Combined Fenton-SBR is a feasible process for antibiotic wastewater treatment.

► The work focused on Fenton-SBR treatment of hazardous antibiotic wastewater.
► Complete degradation of the antibiotics was achieved by the Fenton process.
► BOD5/COD ratio below 0.40 had negative effect on SBR performance.
► Combined Fenton-SBR is a feasible process for antibiotic wastewater treatment.