Parametric Study on Pyrite-Catalyzed Heterogeneous Fenton Process for the Treatment of Simulated Plant Wastewater
Author : Cordero, Allen Mathew Fortuno
Major Adviser : Capunitan, Jewel A.
Committee Members : Laurio, Michael Vincent O.; Alfafara, Catalino G.
Year : 2017
Month : June
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
Simulated paint wastewater containing methyl orange dye and other major components was treated using heterogeneous Fenton process in order to determine the effect of four factors (initial pH of the sample, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration, pyrite dosage, and pyrite particle size), including their interactions, on percent decolorization of the wastewater. Two-level factorial design with two replicates and four center points was employed to screen significant factors. Results showed that all factors were significant, as well as the interactions of pH and pyrite dosage, and pH and particle size. Increasing H₂O₂ concentration and pyrite dosage resulted in an increase in percent decolorization because it could have increased the available H₂O₂ and pyrite for the formation of hydroxyl radicals needed to degrade methyl orange molecules. Increasing pyrite particle size also increased the percent decolorization because at lower particle size, atmospheric oxidation of Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ may have occurred, which inhibits the catalytic efficiency of the pyrite surface to activate H₂O₂ molecules. On the other hand, decreasing the pH resulted in a higher decolorization efficiency which may be due to the increased predominance of Fe²⁺ on pyrite’s surface and stronger oxidation potential of hydroxyl radicals produced. Overall, the treatment of 100 mL simulated paint wastewater (containing 50 ppm methyl orange) using heterogeneous Fenton process at -60+80 mesh pyrite catalyst (215 μm) and pH of 2, achieved a percent decolorization of 96.5 ± 1.9% at 1.31 mol/L H₂O₂ concentration and 8 g/L pyrite dosage, indicating the effectiveness of process at these conditions.
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