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Phenol oxidation by a sequential CWPO-CWAO treatment with a Fe/AC catalyst
A Quintanilla1, A F Fraile, J A Casas
1Area de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain. asun.quintanilla@uam.es
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|May 22, 2007
Summary
Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) effectively removes phenol using a Fe/activated carbon catalyst. A sequential CWPO-CWAO process enhances decontamination of phenolic wastewater, achieving high efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Catalysis
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Phenolic compounds are common industrial pollutants.
- Effective treatment of phenolic wastewater is crucial for environmental protection.
- Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) is a promising advanced oxidation process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of phenol using a homemade Fe/activated carbon (Fe/AC) catalyst.
- To evaluate the efficiency of a sequential CWPO-CWAO treatment for phenolic wastewater decontamination.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a stainless steel fixed-bed reactor for CWPO experiments.
- Optimized operating conditions including temperature, pressure, catalyst loading, and contact time.
- Developed and tested a sequential CWPO-CWAO process in a combined fixed-bed and trickle-bed reactor system.
Main Results:
- Fe/AC catalyst significantly improved phenol conversion, reaching 90% under optimal conditions.
- Total organic carbon (TOC) conversion remained low, indicating limited mineralization.
- The Fe/AC catalyst promoted refractory intermediate formation, hindering complete degradation.
- A sequential CWPO-CWAO treatment demonstrated high efficiency for phenolic wastewater decontamination.
Conclusions:
- The Fe/AC catalyst is effective for phenol removal via CWPO, but not for complete mineralization.
- Sequential CWPO-CWAO treatment offers a highly efficient approach for phenolic wastewater treatment.
- The developed Fe/AC catalyst exhibits good stability for sustained application.
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