Parametric Study on the Degradation of Tetracycline in Aqueous Solutions by Heterogeneous Fenton Process using Iron (III) Oxide
Author : Filio, Isa Marie Guevarra
Major Adviser : Capunitan, Jewel A.
Committee Members : Doliente, Stephen S.; Migo-Sumagang, Maria Victoria P.
Year : 2017
Month : December
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
Related Articles:
Keywords:
This manuscript can be accessed: Only after the consultation with author or adviser
Abstract
Heterogeneous Fenton process using iron (III) oxide as catalyst was employed in treating an aqueous solution containing tetracycline, an antibiotic present in poultry wastewater. Two-level factorial design of experiment was applied to determine the effect of varying the levels of initial pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration and iron (III) oxide dosages on the degradation of tetracycline. Results showed that the individual effects of the initial pH and iron (III) oxide dosages, as well as their interaction, were significant. Increasing the initial pH resulted in a decrease in percent degradation, while increasing the catalyst dosage resulted in an increase in percent degradation. Acidic conditions and higher amounts of catalysts could have promoted the formation of hydroxyl radicals, which reacts and degrades the tetracycline present in the aqueous solution. Highest degradation at 93.14 % was achieved at low levels of factors (initial pH of 3, 0.42 mM H₂O₂ concentration and 1 g/L of iron oxide dosage). Thus, heterogeneous Fenton process using iron (III) oxide as catalyst is an effective treatment method in the degradation of tetracycline.
Go back to Research Abstracts