Application of steel waste for 2.4-dinitrophenol degradation through Fenton type advanced oxidation system

ABSTRACT

Considered a priority pollutant of recognized toxicity and recalcitrance, 2.4-dinitrophenol (2.4-DNP) present in wastewater hinders conventional treatments such as filtration, chemical coagulation, activated sludge system and activated carbon adsorption. Due to the potential of advanced oxidation processes (AOP) to transform the structure of pollutants into elements of reduced pollutant capacity, they presently represent an alternative for the treatment of effluents contaminated with these compounds. The present research aimed to study the degradation of 2.4-DNP in aqueous solution through advanced Fenton-type oxidation processes, using an unconventional source of iron in the form of a steel residue (steel waste). The conduction of an experimental design based on the factorial planning of experiments revealed that the variables hydrogen peroxide quantity and scale significantly influenced 2.4-DNF degradation, providing, under optimized conditions (20 g of steel waste, 0.5 mL of H₂O₂ at pH 3) high degradation efficiency of both the model compound and its reaction intermediates, as well as reducing acute toxicity, measured as E. coli growth inhibition. Further trials have suggested that the reaction mechanisms by which 2.4-DNF degradation occurs are mediated by both the surface of steel waste particles and the leached iron, characterizing the process as a combination of homogeneous and heterogeneous oxidation. Finally, reusability and continuous flow reactor operation tests suggested the significant potential of the steel waste/ H₂O₂ system.

Keywords:
advanced oxidative process; steel industry waste; 2,4-dinitrophenol; hydroxyl radical