Use of fenton reagent to improve organic chemical biodegradability

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 1047 - 1051
• Main Authors: Chamarro, E., Marco, A., Esplugas, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: 2,4-dichlorophenol; 4-chlorophenol; advanced oxidation technologies (AOT); Applied sciences; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biotechnology; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fenton reagent; formic acid; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General purification processes; Hydrogen Peroxide; Indicators and Reagents; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Iron; Kinetics; nitrobenzene; Organic Chemicals - isolation & purification; Organic Chemicals - metabolism; Oxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; Pollution; Solutions; Stoichiometry; Wastewaters; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Water Supply - analysis; Water Supply - standards; Water treatment and pollution; advanced oxidation technologies (AOT); Fenton reagent; Iron II Ions; Biodegradability; Fenton reaction; Oxidation; Pretreatment; Waste water purification; Experimental study; Hydrogen Peroxides; Organic compounds; Biological purification
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1354(00)00342-0

Fenton reagent has been used to test the degradation of different organic compounds (formic acid, phenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and nitrobenzene) in aqueous solution. A stoichiometric coefficient for the Fenton reaction was found to be 0.5
mol of organic compound/mol of hydrogen peroxide, except for the formic acid where a value of approximately one was obtained (due to the direct formation of carbon dioxide). The treatment eliminates the toxic substances and increases the biodegradability of the treated water (measured as the ratio BOD
5/COD). Biodegradability is attained when the initial compound is removed.