Comparison of direct oxidative transfer process (DOTP) with Fenton and ozonation processes for water treatment

The removal of emerging contaminants is a pressing challenge in modern water treatment. Among oxidation water purification processes, Fenton and ozonation are the most widely applied, with well-established mechanisms and broad engineering applicability. More recently, the direct oxidative transfer process (DOTP) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering high water purification efficiency. However, its practical applicability remains insufficiently characterized, particularly in comparison to conventional oxidation systems. To address this knowledge gap, this study provides a systematic evaluation of DOTP alongside Fenton and ozonation processes, aiming to elucidate the strengths and limitations of each system and to inform the rational selection and development of oxidation technologies. The comparison encompasses pollutant applicability, treatment efficiency, oxidant consumption, robustness to matrix effects, and byproduct formation, with further validation using real industrial wastewater. The results reveal that DOTP delivers significant advantages in pollutant and total organic carbon removal, oxidant utilization, resistance to matrix interference, and suppression of toxic byproducts formation. Nevertheless, its strong selectivity toward pollutants bearing electron-rich functional groups conjugated with extended π-systems constrains its applicability relative to the broader scope of Fenton and ozonation. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of DOTP's potential and provide valuable guidance for optimizing and integrating oxidation technologies in advanced wastewater treatment applications.