Treatment of phenolic effluents by a thermochemical oxidation process (DiCTT) and modelling by artificial neural networks

► DiCTT process proving two reaction steps (rapid and slow) during phenol degradation. ► DiCTT process allowed a phenol degradation of 100% and a TOC conversion of 60%. ► Phenol/hydrogen peroxide ratio of 75% was considered optimum condition of the process. ► The concentrations of the intermediates decrease regardless of R (50%, 75% or 100%). ► Catechol concentration is always above that of hydroquinone due to the mesomeric effect.