Treatment of textile wastewater by homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton oxidation processes

In the present investigation an attempt was made to degrade organic pollutants in the textile effluent by homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton systems. Experiments were carried out under the batch as well as under the continuous operating conditions. The effect of time, pH, H2O2 concentration, FeSO4.7H2O concentration and the mass of mesoporous activated carbon on the degradation of organics in the wastewater were critically examined. The kinetic constants and the thermodynamic parameters for the oxidation of organics in wastewater were determined. The quantitative removal of COD, BOD and TOC from the wastewater was evaluated. The degradation of organics in textile wastewater was confirmed through FT-IR, UV–Visible spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry.

Schematic flow diagram for integrated homogenous and heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of textile wastewater.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Mesoporous activated carbon was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in this study.
► COD was removed excess in this study over homogeneous Fenton oxidation by 30%.
► The mesoporous activated carbon enhances the rate of the oxidation reaction.
► This process involves minimum sludge production and low electrical energy input.
► The mesoporous activated carbon was active even after 18 cycles in this study.