Advanced ozone treatment of heavy oil refining wastewater by activated carbon supported iron oxide

The catalytic ozonation of heavy oil refining wastewater (HORW) was investigated over activated carbon supported iron oxides (FAC) catalysts using activated carbon (AC) as the reference. The catalyst was characterized by chemical analysis, XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption and SEM. A significant increase in COD removal efficiency was observed in FAC + ozone compared with AC + ozone due to more hydroxyl radicals, identified by tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). The composition analysis of organic pollutant in HORW by FT-ICR MS discovered organic pollutants chain scission and oxidation process during the treatment. A great improvement of biodegradability for treated HORW had been obtained. The investigation uncovered the catalytic potential of FAC catalysts for ozonation of HORW.