Small sewage treatment works using a fenton oxidation method

Abstract

This paper describes an oxidation treatment of Domestic Wastewater (DW) using Fenton's reagent (H₂O₂/Fe²⁺). In this technique, DW was mixed with ferrous sulfate (523 mg 1^‐1) and hydrogen peroxide (300, 600 and 900 mg l^‐1 respectively). Due to the strong oxidizing potential of the hydroxyl radicals and other oxidants the organic pollutants and nutrients (organic nitrogen, phosphorous) were wet oxidized to carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides and phosphorous was precipitated as Fe₃(PO₄)₂. Experiments were run in a batch, laboratory‐scale, pilot‐plant, at 30°C and the efficiency of oxidation was studied in relation to oxidation time. According to the experimental results a 82% COD reduction, a 80% BOD₅ reduction, a 100% fats and oils reduction, a 95% Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) reduction, a 96% Total Suspended Solids (TSS) reduction and a 93% total phosphorous reduction were achieved. It is concluded that the application of chemical oxidation of DW is more advantageous compared to conventional biological treatment especially for small works.

Keywords:

• Domestic wastewater
• fenton oxidation
• nutrient removal