Application of the Fenton's process in a bubble column reactor for hydroquinone degradation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Vanessa N. Lima (Author) Other; Carmen S. D. Rodrigues (Author) FEUP; Luís M. Madeira (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Vol. 25 No. 35

Pages: 34851-34862

ISSN: 0944-1344

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 9 Citations

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-8V6

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0746-z

Abstract (EN): The aim of this study was to assess the degradation and mineralization of hydroquinone (HQ) by the Fenton¿s process in a bubble column reactor (BCR). The effect of the main operating variables, namely, air flow rate, effluent volume, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration, catalyst (Fe2+) dose, initial pH, and temperature, were assessed. For all air flow rates tested, no concentration gradients along the column were noticed, evidencing that a good mixing was reached in the BCR. For the best conditions tested ([H2O2] = 500 mg/L, [Fe2+] = 45 mg/L, T = 24 °C, Qair = 2.5 mL/min, pH = 3.0, and V = 5 L), complete HQ degradation was reached, with ~ 39% of total organic carbon (TOC) removal, and an efficiency of the oxidant use¿¿H2O2¿of 0.39 (ratio between TOC removed per H2O2 consumed normalized by the theoretical stoichiometric value); moreover, a non-toxic effluent was generated. Under these conditions, the intermediates and final oxidation compounds identified and quantified were a few carboxylic acids, namely, maleic, pyruvic, and oxalic. As a strategy to improve the TOC removal, a gradual dosage of the optimal H2O2 concentration was implemented, being obtained ~ 55% of mineralization (with complete HQ degradation). Finally, the matrix effect was evaluated, for which a real wastewater was spiked with 100 mg/L of HQ; no reduction in terms of HQ degradation and mineralization was observed compared to the solution in distilled water.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12