Optimization of the heterogeneous photo Fenton degradation of a model pollutant, benzyl alcohol using UV/ZnO process

Abstract

Among advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), the photo chemically enhanced Fenton reaction (photo-Fenton) may be particularly effective for the treatment of industrial wastewater. In the present work, ferrous sulphate/ferrioxalate with H2O2 and ZnO particles was tested as a combined homogeneous and heterogeneous photo-Fenton process for the degradation of the model organic pollutant, benzyl alcohol. Enhancement in the photo-Fenton processes has been observed by the addition of ZnO. UV/ferrous/H2O2/ZnO and UV/ferrioxalate/H2O2/ZnO processes are found to be more efficient than the individual photo-Fenton and UV/ZnO processes. The use of ferrioxalate in the combined process is found to be more advantageous. The effect of various experimental parameters such as pH, initial H2O2, Fe2+, Fe3+, ZnO and pollutant concentrations on these combined photocatalytic process have been investigated. All these parameters strongly influenced the removal rate. The efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was tested. The optimum operating conditions of these combined processes are reported.

Keywords

• Advanced oxidation processes, benzyl alcohol, photo-Fenton, ferrous ion, ferrioxalate, H2O2, ZnO, UV-light

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