Effects of operating parameters on advanced oxidation of diuron by the Fenton's reagent: a statistical design approach

Advanced oxidation of diuron in aqueous solution by Fenton's reagent using FeSO(4) as source of Fe(II) was investigated in the absence of light. Effects of operating parameters namely the concentrations of pesticide (diuron), H(2)O(2) and Fe(II) on oxidation of diuron was investigated by using Box-Behnken statistical experiment design and the surface response analysis. Diuron oxidation by the Fenton reagent was evaluated by determining the total organic carbon (TOC), diuron, and adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) removals. Concentration ranges of the reagents resulting in the highest level of diuron oxidation were determined. Diuron removal increased with increasing H(2)O(2) and Fe(II) concentrations up to a certain level. Diuron concentration had a more profound effect than H(2)O(2) and Fe(II) in removal of diuron, TOC and AOX from the aqueous solution. Nearly complete (98.5%) disappearance of diuron was achieved after 15min reaction period. However, only 58% of diuron was mineralized after 240min under optimal operating conditions indicating formation of some intermediate products. Optimal H(2)O(2)/Fe(II)/diuron ratio resulting in the maximum diuron removal (98.5%) was found to be 302/38/20 (mgl(-1)).     

Advanced oxidation treatment of pulp mill effluent for TOC and toxicity removals

Pulp mill effluent was treated by different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) consisting of UV, UV/H2O2, TiO2-assisted photo-catalysis (UV/TiO2) and UV/H2O2/TiO2 in lab-scale reactors for total organic carbon (TOC) and toxicity removals. Effects of some operating parameters such as the initial pH, oxidant and catalyst concentrations on TOC and toxicity removals were investigated. Almost every method resulted in some degree of TOC and toxicity removal from the pulp mill effluent. However, the TiO2-assisted photo-catalysis (UV/TiO2) resulted in the highest TOC and toxicity removals under alkaline conditions when compared with the other AOPs tested. Approximately, 79.6% TOC and 94% toxicity removals were obtained by the TiO2-assisted photo-catalysis (UV/TiO2) with a titanium dioxide concentration of 0.75gl(-1) at pH 11 within 60min.