Use of Fenton oxidation to improve the biodegradability of a pharmaceutical wastewater

Tekin H., BİLKAY O., Ataberk S. S., Balta T. H., Ceribasi I. H., Sanin F. D., ...More

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, vol.136, no.2, pp.258-265, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 136 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jhazment.2005.12.012
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.258-265
  • Keywords: biodegradability, pharmaceutical wastewater, Fenton's reagent, Fenton's oxidation, pretreatment, HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE, KINETICS, INTERFERENCE, REAGENT
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The applicability of Fenton's oxidation to improve the biodegradability of a pharmaceutical wastewater to be treated biologically was investigated. The wastewater was originated from a factory producing a variety of pharmaceutical chemicals. Treatability studies were conducted under laboratory conditions with all chemicals (having COD varying from 900 to 7000 mg/L) produced in the factory in order to determine the operational conditions to utilize in the full-scale treatment plant. Optimum pH was determined as 3.5 and 7.0 for the first (oxidation) and second stage (coagulation) of the Fenton process, respectively. For all chemicals, COD removal efficiency was highest when the molar ratio of H2O2/Fe2+ was 150-250. At H2O2/Fe2+ ratio of 155, 0.3 M H2O2 and 0.002 M Fe2+, provided 45-65% COD removal.