A chemometric approach to the interaction of hydrogen peroxide and thermally activated persulfate in the removal of aromatic compounds
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This study evaluates the combined use of H₂O₂ and thermally activated S₂O₈ 2 ⁻ (T-PDS) for the degradation of phenolic compounds (PhOH) in wastewater, aiming to limit or eliminate sludge production. Phenolic compounds are common in industrial effluents, and their effective removal is crucial for reducing environmental impact. The study employs Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to optimise critical variables such as temperature, pH, and oxidant concentrations. Optimal conditions were determined to be a temperature of 70 °C, pH 5, and a H 2 O 2 /S 2 O 8 2− molar ratio of 1:6. Under these conditions, the system achieved an 89% PhOH degradation efficiency, reducing the concentration from 10 to 1.2 mg L −1 after 120 min of treatment. The kinetic analysis revealed a rapid initial reduction in PhOH concentration by 38% (from 10 to 6.2 mg L −1 ) within the first 15 min, followed by a slower degradation phase. This suggests a complex reaction mechanism, likely influenced by oxidant consumption and intermediate formation. The model demonstrated high precision, with R 2 values of 0.99 for PhOH and S 2 O 8 2− and slightly lower for H₂O₂ (R 2 = 0.98). A brief cost analysis estimated the treatment cost at €6.86 per cubic meter of wastewater, showing the economic viability of the process. Additionally, eliminating sludge formation reduces operational costs related to sludge management and disposal, making the H 2 O 2 /T-PDS system a promising solution for large-scale industrial applications in sustainable wastewater treatment. • 89% of phenol degradation was reached by H 2 O 2 /thermally activated S 2 O 8 2− system •Best conditions via Response Surface Methodology and Principal Component Analysis •PH and temperature greatly influence system's activation and efficiency •The best conditions were 5 and 70 °C for pH and temperature respectively •The optimal H 2 O 2 :S 2 O 8 2− molar ratio was equal to 1:6
Institutions: University of Salerno, Universidad de Málaga, University of Milan
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,850
Award: G4992670850
OpenAlex ID: W4405894475