Removal of citrate and hypophosphite binary components using Fenton, photo-Fenton and electro-Fenton processes

Both citrate and hypophosphite in aqueous solution were degraded by advanced oxidation processes (Fe2+/H2O2,UV/Fe2+/H2O2, and electrolysis/Fe2+/H2O2) in this study. Comparison of these techniques in oxidation efficiency was undertaken. It was found that Fenton process could not completely degrade citrate in the presence of hypophosphite since it caused a series inhibition. Therefore, UV light (photo-Fenton) or electron current (electro-Fenton) was applied to improve the degradation efficiency of the Fenton process. Results showed that both photo-Fenton and electro-Fenton processes could overcome the inhibition of hypophosphite, especially the electro-Fenton.