WEIBULL MODELING OF THE FENTON'S OXIDATION PROCESS

Abstract

A modified version of the two-parameter Weibull survival curve is used to investigate its applicability to analyze the influence of the Fenton's Reagent on the decomposition of 2,4-dinitrophenol solutions (DNP). Fenton's Reagent is one type of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in which strong oxidants, hydroxyl radicals, are generated. Fenton's Reagent was maintained at a ratio of 0.5 mM H₂O₂ to 0.1 mM Fe²⁺ at the start of all experiments. By varying the initial DNP concentration, we are not only able to correlate parameters (a) and (b) defined in the modified curve to the Fenton's oxidation process, but also interpret their physical significance on the process. The scale parameter (a) can be used to illustrate the rate of the decomposition of DNP in solutions. The imbalance between decomposition rate and initial DNP concentration can be easily observed with the aid of parameter (a). By defining a specific decomposition rate function, the shape parameter (b) indicates the strength of the oxidation power provided by the Fenton's Reagent. When (b) >1, the existence of a maximum specific decomposition rate shows a sufficient supply of the hydroxyl radicals, whereas a first-order decomposition of DNP is obtained when (b) = 1. A lack of oxidation power becomes obvious if (b) <1, showing a high dose of initial DNP in a solution. Knowing the physical interpretation of both parameters, they are further applied to design the Fenton's oxidation process.

Keywords:

• Weibull survival curve
• Statistical analysis
• Modeling
• 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP)
• Fenton's Reagent
• Advanced oxidation process
• Environmental engineering
• Decomposition rate

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Part of the results of this paper was presented at the 49th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, October 3–6, 1999.