A comparative study on applicability of nano-sized iron(II, III) oxide in ultrasonicated Fenton process

Abstract

Fenton process is one of the most effective advanced oxidation processes for the removal of pollutants from wastewater. In this study, while ferrous iron was used in conventional Fenton process (CFP); nano-sized iron(II, III) oxide was experienced in modified Fenton process (MFP) as a new catalyst alternative. In order to enhance their oxidation efficiencies, both CFP and MFP were combined with ultrasonication at 53 kHz fixed frequency. Thus, the influences of both catalyst iron species and ultrasonication on color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals from synthetic textile wastewater including Maxilon Red GRL 200% dyestuff were investigated experimentally. While the COD and color removal rates were found as 72.5% and 69.7% via CFP; they were 87% and 75.8% by ultrasonicated CFP, respectively. The color and COD removals were 40.6% and 64.8% via MFP, and 49.9 and 73.1% by ultrasonicated MFP, respectively. Therefore, it was found that the simultaneously usage of ultrasonication with CFP and MFP was improved the COD and color removal efficiencies and oxidation rates even at lower H2O2 dosages, compared to individual CFP and MFP. Moreover, the color and COD removal kinetics were also modelled mathematically and compared in the study.