Photodegradation of non-ionic surfactant with different ethoxy groups in aqueous effluents by the photo-Fenton process

• Published in: Environmental technology Vol. 35; no. 12; pp. 1556 - 1564
• Main Authors: da Silva, Syllos S, Chiavone-Filho, Osvaldo, de Barros Neto, Eduardo L, Mota, André L. N, Foletto, Edson L, Nascimento, Claudio A. O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 18-06-2014; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: analysis of variance; Applied sciences; aqueous solutions; Chemical engineering; effluents; environmental technology; Ethyl Ethers - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Fatty Alcohols - chemistry; General purification processes; hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; iron; Iron - chemistry; mineralization; nonionic surfactants; photo-Fenton; Photolysis; Pollution; Reactors; response surface; response surface methodology; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; surfactant; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution; British Isles; Hydrogen peroxide; Pollutant behavior; Non ionic surfactant; Iron II; Surfactant; Modeling; Waste water; photo-Fenton; Mineralization; Fenton reaction; Oxidation; Aqueous solution; response surface; Photooxidation; Photochemical degradation
• ISSN: 1479-487X; 0959-3330; 1479-487X
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2013.873485

The photo-Fenton process was applied to degrade non-ionic surfactants with different numbers of ethoxy groups, seven (E7), ten (E10) and twenty-three (E23). The effects of H ₂O ₂ concentration, Fe(II) concentration and number of ethoxy groups on the mineralization of surfactants were investigated. The response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to determine optimal concentrations of Fenton's reagents for each surfactant. The efficiency of the photo-Fenton process reached 95% for all surfactants studied at 45 min in optimal conditions determined in this work. The analysis of results showed that the efficiency depends upon the number of ethoxy groups in the surfactant. The increase in ethoxy groups favoured the mineralization of surfactants. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied, and according to the F -test the models for the mineralization of surfactants were considered significant and predictable. The photo-Fenton process has proven to be feasible for the degradation of ethoxylated surfactants in aqueous solution.