Degradation of reactive brilliant red K-2BP in water using a combination of swirling jet-induced cavitation and Fenton process

•An evident synergistic effect was observed in the degradation of the dye K-2BP using SJC/Fenton process.•The effects of various operating parameters on the degradation of K-2BP were investigated.•The degradation mechanism of the dye K-2BP was discussed.

The degradation of reactive brilliant red K-2BP (K-2BP) in aqueous solution using swirling jet-induce cavitation (SJC) combined with Fenton process was studied and an evident synergistic effect was observed. The effects of various operating parameters such as H2O2 and Fe2+ dosage, fluid pressure, pH value and temperature of the solution on the degradation of K-2BP have been investigated. The removal of K-2BP in aqueous solution was increased with increasing of H2O2 and Fe2+ addition. But excess Fe2+ has a negative effect on the removal of K-2BP. It was also found that lower pH, higher temperature, and higher pressure of fluid are favorable for the degradation of K-2BP. The degradation mechanism of K-2BP was also discussed with the change of UV–Vis spectra of K-2BP at different degradation time.