Decolorization of C.I. Acid Blue 9 solution by UV/Nano-TiO(2), Fenton, Fenton-like, electro-Fenton and electrocoagulation processes: a comparative study

Decolorization and partial mineralization of a polyazo dye by Bacillus firmus immobilized within tubular polymeric gel

The degradation of C.I. Direct red 80, a polyazo dye, was investigated using Bacillus firmus immobilized by entrapment in tubular polymeric gel. This bacterial strain was able to completely decolorize 50 mg/L of C.I. Direct red 80 under anoxic conditions within 12 h and also degrade the reaction intermediates (aromatic amines) during the subsequent 12 h under aerobic conditions. The tubular gel harboring the immobilized cells consisted of anoxic and aerobic regions integrated in a single unit which was ideal for azo dye degradation studies. Results obtained show that effective dye decolorization (97.8%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction (91.7%) and total aromatic amines removal were obtained in 15 h with the immobilized bacterial cell system whereas for the free cells, a hydraulic residence time of 24 h was required for an equivalent performance in a sequential anoxic and aerobic process. Repeated-batch experiments indicate the immobilized cells could decolorize C.I. Direct red 80 and reduce medium COD in five successive batch runs with enhanced activity obtained after each consecutive run, thus suggesting its stability and potential for repeated use in wastewater treatment. UV-visible spectrophotometry and HPLC analysis were used to confirm the partial mineralization of the dye. Data from this study could be used as a reference for the development of effective industrial scale biotechnological process for the removal of dyes and their metabolites in textile wastewater.

Application of response surface methodology in the optimization of photocatalytic removal of environmental pollutants using nanocatalysts

Response surface methodology is a widely used technique for modelling and optimization of the photocatalytic treatment processes of water and wastewater. This methodology not only estimates linear, interaction and quadratic effects of the factors on the response, but also provides a prediction model for the response at the range of the variables studied and the optimum conditions to achieve the highest performance. The present paper reviews the results of application of this innovative methodology in modelling and optimization of the photocatalytic treatment processes. Different experimental designs including 3k factorial, Doehlert, Box-Behnken and central composite designs have been developed to describe the treatment processes of dyeing effluents, pharmaceutical agents and hazardous phenolic compounds. The results showed that response surface methodology can describe the behaviour of complex reaction systems, such as photocatalytic processes, in the range of experimental conditions adopted. Optimization based on response surface methodology can also estimate the conditions of the photocatalytic processes to achieve the highest performance.

Recycle of electrolytically dissolved struvite as an alternative to enhance phosphate and nitrogen recovery from swine wastewater

Operational parameters such as electric voltage, NaCl, reaction time (RT) and initial struvite amount were optimized for struvite dissolution with a designed electrolysis reactor, and the effect of recycling the dissolved solution on the performance of struvite crystallization was also assessed. The electrolytic reactor was made of plexiglas having titanium plate coated with iridium oxide as anode (surface area: 400 cm(2)) and stainless steel plates as cathodes. For reutilization of dissolved struvite, four runs were conducted with different recycle ratio of the solution. Optimum conditions for the electric voltage, NaCl, RT and initial struvite amount were 7 V, 0.06%, 1.5h and 1.25 g/L, respectively. At the above optimized conditions, 49.17 mg/L phosphate (PO(4)(3-)-P) was dissolved and ammonium-nitrogen (NH(4)-N) got completely removed from the solution. When 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 moles of the dissolved struvite with respect to PO(4)(3-)-P in swine wastewater were recycled along with 0.5M magnesium chloride (MgCl(2)), the PO(4)(3-)-P removal was 63, 69, 71 and 79%, and NH(4)-N was 9, 31, 40 and 53%, respectively. Hence, the performance of struvite formation process was proportionally increased. It is concluded that struvite can be re-dissolved by electrolysis and reused as a source of P and Mg.

Photo-assisted hetero-fenton decolorization of azo dye from contaminated water by Fe-Si mixed oxide nanocomposite

An aerogel of silica gel dopeyd with 2.86 wt% Fe was prepared by an alkoxide sol-gel method and using tetraethyl orthosilicate as a precursor material. The synthesized aerogel was calcined at 500 degress C to produce nanoparticle solids, and was characterized by XRD, FT-IR and SEM. The nanosized iron-silica gel mixed oxide was tested in the photooxidation of the azo dye Acid Red 14 (AR 14) using 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide as oxidant and UV light. The 2.86 wt% Fe-loaded SiO2 showed very good efficiency in the decolorization of AR 14. The effects of various parameters including solution pH, catalyst, oxidant and initial dye concentrations on photodegradation were investigated and the optimum conditions were determined. The catalyst was resistant to leaching and could be recycled several times without appreciable loss of activity.

Comparative electrochemical treatments of two chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Time course of the main reaction by-products

Acidic aqueous solutions of the chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCA) have been treated by the electro-Fenton (EF) process. Bulk electrolyses were performed at constant current using a BDD anode and an air diffusion cathode able to generate H(2)O(2) in situ, which reacts with added Fe(2+) to yield OH from Fenton's reaction. At 300 mA, almost total mineralization was achieved at 420 min for solutions containing 4mM of either DCA or TCA. Comparative treatments without Fe(2+) (anodic oxidation) or with a Pt anode led to a poorer mineralization. The better performance of the EF process with BDD is explained by the synergistic action of the oxidizing radicals, BDD(OH) at the anode surface and OH in the bulk, and the minimization of diffusional limitations. The decay of the initial pollutant accomplished with pseudo first-order kinetics. Chloroacetic and dichloroacetic acids were the major by-products during the degradation of DCA and TCA, respectively. Acetic, oxalic and formic acids were also identified. The proposed reaction pathways include oxidative and reductive (cathodic) dechlorination steps. Chlorine was released as Cl(-), being further oxidized to ClO(3)(-) and, mostly, to ClO(4)(-), due to the action of the largely generated BDD(OH) and OH.

Degradation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid by a novel Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone process using iron sheet as the sacrificial anode

A novel electrochemically enhanced advanced oxidation process for the destruction of organic contaminants in aqueous solution is reported in this study. The process involves the use of an iron (Fe) sheet as sacrificial anode and a graphite bar as cathode. In the oxidation process, once an electric current is applied between the anode and the cathode, a predetermined amount of Oxone is added to the reactor. Ferrous ions generated from the sacrificed Fe anode mediate the generation of highly powerful radicals (SO(4)(•-)) through the decomposition of Oxone. The coupled process of Fe(II)/Oxone and electrochemical treatment (Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone) was evaluated in terms of 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradation in aqueous solution. Various parameters were investigated to optimize the process, including applied current, electrolyte and Oxone concentration. In addition, low solution pH facilitates the system performance due to the dual effects of weak Fenton reagent generation and persulfate ions generation, whereas the system performance was inhibited at basic pH levels through non-radical self-dissociation of Oxone and the formation of ferric hydroxide precipitates. Furthermore, the active radicals involved in the Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone process were also identified. The Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone process demonstrates a very high 2,4,5-T degradation efficiency (over 90% decay within 10 min), which justifies the novel Electro-Fe(II)/Oxone a promising treatment process for herbicide removal in water.

Parathion degradation and its intermediate formation by Fenton process in neutral environment

The purpose of this study is to investigate parathion degradation by Fenton process in neutral environment. The initial parathion concentration for all the degradation experiments was 20 ppm. For hydrogen ion effect on Fenton degradation, the pH varied from 2 to 8 at the [H₂O₂] to [Fe²(+)] ratio of 2-2 mM, and the result showed pH 3 as the most effective environment for parathion degradation by Fenton process. Apparent degradation was also observed at pH 7. The subsequent analysis for parathion degradation was conducted at pH 7 because most environmental parathion exists in the neutral environment. Comparing the parathion degradation results at various Fenton dosages revealed that at Fe²(+) concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM, the Fenton reagent ratio ([H₂O₂]/[Fe²(+)]) for best-removing performance were found as 4, 3, and 2, resulting in the removal efficiencies of 19%, 48% and 36%, respectively. Further increase in Fe²(+) concentration did not cause any increase of the optimum Fenton reagent ratio for the best parathion removal. The result from LC-MS also indicated that hydroxyl radicals might attack the PS double bond, the single bonds connecting nitro-group, nitrophenol, or the single bond within ethyl groups of parathion molecules forming paraoxons, nitrophenols, nitrate/nitrite, thiophosphates, and other smaller molecules. Lastly, the parathion degradation by Fenton process at the presence of humic acids was investigated, and the results showed that the presence of 10 mg L⁻¹ of humic acids in the aqueous solution enhanced the parathion removal by Fenton process twice as much as that without the presence of humic acids.

Effects of dissolved oxygen on dye removal by zero-valent iron

Effects of dissolved oxygen concentrations on dye removal by zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) were investigated. The Vibrio fischeri light inhibition test was employed to evaluate toxicity of decolorized solution. Three dyes, Acid Orange 7 (AO7, monoazo), Reactive Red 120 (RR120, diazo), and Acid Blue 9 (AB9, triphenylmethane), were selected as model dyes. The dye concentration and Fe(0) dose used were 100 mg L(-1) and 30 g L(-1), respectively. Under anoxic condition, the order for dye decolorization was AO7>RR120>AB9. An increase in the dissolved oxygen concentrations enhanced decolorization and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of the three dyes. An increase in gas flow rates also improved dye and COD removals by Fe(0). At dissolved oxygen of 6 mg L(-1), more than 99% of each dye was decolorized within 12 min and high COD removals were obtained (97% for AO7, 87% for RR120, and 93% for AB9). The toxicity of decolorized dye solutions was low (I(5)<40%). An increase in DO concentrations obviously reduced the toxicity. When DO above 2 mg L(-1) was applied, low iron ion concentration (13.6 mg L(-1)) was obtained in the decolorized AO7 solution.

Optimization of photocatalytic treatment of dye solution on supported TiO2 nanoparticles by central composite design: intermediates identification

Optimization of photocatalytic degradation of C.I. Basic Blue 3 (BB3) under UV light irradiation using TiO(2) nanoparticles in a rectangular photoreactor was studied. The investigated TiO(2) was Millennium PC-500 (crystallites mean size 5-10 nm) immobilized on non-woven paper. Central composite design was used for optimization of UV/TiO(2) process. Predicted values of decolorization efficiency were found to be in good agreement with experimental values (R(2)=0.9686 and Adj-R(2)=0.9411). Optimization results showed that maximum decolorization efficiency was achieved at the optimum conditions: initial dye concentration 10mg/L, UV light intensity 47.2 W/m(2), flow rate 100 mL/min and reaction time 120 min. Photocatalytic mineralization of BB3 was monitored by total organic carbon (TOC) decrease, and changes in UV-vis and FT-IR spectra. The photodegradation compounds were analyzed by UV-vis, FT-IR and GC-mass techniques. The degradation pathway of BB3 was proposed based on the identified compounds.

Degradation of acid red 97 dye in aqueous medium using wet oxidation and electro-Fenton techniques

Degradation of the acid red 97 dye using wet oxidation, by different oxidants, and electro-Fenton systems was investigated in this study. The oxidation effect of different oxidants such as molecular oxygen, periodate, persulfate, bromate, and hydrogen peroxide in wet oxidation system was compared. Mineralization of AR97 with periodate appeared more effective when compared with that of the other oxidants at equal initial concentration. When 5 mM of periodate was used, at the first minute of the oxidative treatment, the decolorization percentage of AR97 solution at 150 and 200 degrees C reached 88 and 98%, respectively. The total organic carbon removal efficiency at these temperatures also reached 60 and 80%. The degradation of AR97 was also studied by electro-Fenton process. The optimal current value and Fe(2+) concentration were found to be 300 mA and 0.2 mM, respectively. The results showed that electro-Fenton process can lead to 70 and 95% mineralization of the dye solution after 3 and 5h giving carboxylic acids and inorganic ions as final end-products before mineralization. The products obtained from degradation were identified by GC/MS as 1,2-naphthalenediol, 1,1'-biphenyl-4-amino-4-ol, 2-naphthalenol diazonium, 2-naphthalenol, 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedion, phthalic anhydride, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, phthaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 4-amino-benzoic acid, and 2-formyl-benzoic acid.

Electrocoagulation of blue reactive, red disperse and mixed dyes, and application in treating textile effluent

This study investigated the efficiency of electrocoagulation in removing color from synthetic and real textile wastewater. Two representative dye molecules were selected for the synthetic dye wastewater: a blue reactive dye (Reactive Blue 140) and a disperse dye (Disperse Red 1). The electrochemical technique showed satisfactory color removal efficiency and reliable performance in treating both individual and mixed dye types. The removal efficiency and energy consumption data showed that, for a given current density, iron was superior to aluminum in treating both the reactive dye and the disperse dye. With an initial dye concentration of 100 mg L(-1), the energy cost in achieving >95% color removal was on the order of 1 kWh m(-3) for both dyes. The effect of changing the initial pH of the samples on the removal efficiency and energy consumption was also studied. It was found that the design parameters used for the synthetic wastewater were less effective for treatment of real textile wastewater, with 1 in 5 tests on real wastewater failing.

Electrochemical treatment of Orange II dye solution--use of aluminum sacrificial electrodes and floc characterization

Electrocoagulation (EC) of Orange II dye in a flow through cell with aluminum as sacrificial electrodes was carried out under varying conditions of dye concentration, current density, flow rate, conductivity, and the initial pH of the solution in order to optimize the operating parameters for maximum benefits. Maximum removal efficiency of 94.5% was obtained at the following conditions: dye concentration=10 ppm, current density=160 A/m(2), initial pH 6.5, conductance=7.1 mS/cm, flow rate=350 mL/min, and concentration of added NaCl=4.0 g/L of dye solution. The EC-floc was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The removal mechanism has been proposed that is in compliance with the Pourbaix diagram, solubility curve of aluminum oxides/hydroxides, and physico-chemical properties of the EC-floc.

Degradation of acid fuchsine by a modified electro-Fenton system with magnetic stirring as oxygen supplying

The current modified electro-Fenton system was designed to develop a more convenient and efficient undivided system for practical wastewater treatment. The system adopted a cathode portion that employed magnetic stirring instead of common oxygen gas diffusion or gas sparging to supply oxygen gas for the electrolyte solution. Key factors influencing the cathode fabrication and activity were investigated. The degradation of acid fuchsine with a self-made graphite-polytetrafluorethylene cathode was studied using a spectrophotometer. It was found that the cathode generated hydrogen peroxide with high current efficiency and the hydrogen peroxide yield of the cathode did not decay after 10 times reuse. With the Pt anode at a ferrous ion concentration of 0.5 mmol/L, a pH of 3, and using magnetic stirring, dye decolorization could be rapidly accomplished but the destruction of benzene rings and intermediates was fairly difficult. With a Fe anode, dye degradation was more complete.

Optimization of UV-promoted peroxydisulphate oxidation of C.I. Basic Blue 3 using response surface methodology

In this paper photooxidative decolorization of C.I. Basic Blue 3 (BB3), by a UV/peroxydisulphate process is reported. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the effects of different operational parameters on the photooxidative decolorization efficiency. The variables investigated were the reaction time, initial dye concentration, initial S2O8(2-) concentration and the distance of the solution from the UV lamp. Central composite design (CCD) was used for the optimization of the UV/peroxydisulphate process. Photooxidative decolorization efficiency was enhanced by the addition of an optimum amount of peroxydisulphate. An increase in UV light intensity increased the photooxidative decolorization efficiency. A decrease in photooxidative decolorization efficiency with increasing initial BB3 concentration was observed. Predicted values of photooxidative decolorization efficiency were found to be in good agreement with experimental values (R2 = 99.06% and Adj-R2 = 98.24%), which indicated the suitability of the CCD model employed and the success of CCD in optimizing the conditions of the UV/ peroxydisulphate process. The results of optimization predicted by the model showed that maximum decolorization efficiency (> 98%) was achieved at the optimum conditions: reaction time 11 min, initial dye concentration 10 mg/L, initial peroxydisulphate concentration 1.5 mmol/L and distance of UV lamp from the solution 6 cm. The figure-of-merit electrical energy per order (E(Eo)) was employed to estimate the electrical energy consumption.

Application of microalga Chlamydomonas sp. for biosorptive removal of a textile dye from contaminated water: modelling by a neural network

In this paper biosorption of triphenylmethane dye, C.I. Basic Green 4 (BG4), by Chlamydomonas species was investigated. The results obtained from batch experiments revealed the ability of Chlamydomonas sp. to remove BG4. The effects of operational parameters such as initial dye concentration, temperature, pH, reaction time and algal concentration on biosorptive decolorization efficiency were examined. An artificial neural network model was developed to predict the biosorptive decolorization of BG4 solution. The findings indicated that ANN provided reasonable predictive performance (R2 = 0.979). The influence of each parameter on the response was assessed, initial concentration of the dye being the most significant factor, followed by temperature.

Photocatalytic removal of C.I. Basic Red 46 on immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles: artificial neural network modelling

C.I. Basic Red 46, commonly used as a textile dye, was photocatalytically removed using supported TiO2 nanoparticles irradiated by a 30 W UV-C lamp in a batch reactor. The investigated photocatalyst was industrial Degussa P25 (crystallite mean size 21 nm) immobilized on glass beads by a heat attachment method. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and BET techniques. The process of the dye decolorization in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles was experimentally studied through changing the initial dye concentration, UV light intensity and initial pH. The influence of inorganic anions such as chloride, sulphate, bicarbonate, carbonate and phosphate on the photocatalytic decolorization of BR46 was investigated. The decolorization of BR46 follows the pseudo-first-order kinetic according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model (k1 = 0.273 mg L(-1) min(-1), 2 = 0.313 (mg L(-1))(-1)). The efficiency parameters such as apparent quantum yield and electrical energy per order (EEO) were estimated. An artificial neural network model (ANN) was developed to predict the photocatalytic decolorization of BR46 solution. The findings indicated that the ANN provided reasonable predictive performance (R2 = 0.96). The influence of each parameter on the variable studied was assessed: initial concentration of the dye being the most significant factor, followed by the initial pH and reaction time.