Decolorization and Mineralization of C. I. Reactivr Blue 4 and C. I. Reactive Red 2 by Fenton Oxidation Process

The application of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) for dyes wastewater treatment is the focus of this study. Fenton reagent as one of AOPs was applied for the minimization of organic content of colored synthetic wastewater. The reactive dyes, C.I. Reactive Blue 4 (RB4) and C.I. Reactive Red 2 (RR2) were used as the model organic pollutants. Fenton type process was examined in order to establish optimal operating conditions (pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ferrous ion catalyst concentration (Fe2+), [Fe2+]/[H2O2] ratio, dye concentration, and temperature for maximum degradation of the investigated model colored wastewater. Degradation of studied dyes as organic pollutant was monitored on the basis of color degradation and mineralization extents of model solution, determined by UV/VIS spectrophotometer and TOC, respectively. The optimal operating conditions found were a ratio [Fe 2+]/[H2O2] of 1:20, and pH 3. By using this process, almost complete color degradation of 99.8% and TOC degradation of 39.8-42.5% were achieved within 60 minutes of reaction. Pseudo-first-order degradation rate constants were found from the batch experimental data.