1 - Advanced oxidation processes for complex wastewater treatment

Abstract

Complex wastewater discharge from alcohol distilleries is one of the major sources of water and soil pollution, and the degradation of this effluent is a very challenging task. Distillery wastewater retains a high content of heavy metals as well as inorganic and organic compounds, which are difficult to remove due to their solubility in water or the presence of persistent and recalcitrant compounds. In recent decades, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have constituted important, efficient, promising, catalytic, and environmentally friendly treatment technology designed for the remediation of recalcitrant pollutants from industrial wastewaters. AOPs include ozonation, ultraviolet irradiation-based processes, Fenton oxidation, photo-Fenton oxidation, electrochemical remediation, sonolysis, photocatalytic technology, and various combinations of these technologies. This chapter delineates the advanced oxidation processes currently used for the remediation of untreated and partially treated distillery wastewater; controversial issues in pollutant degradation mechanisms are also discussed. Further, the principles, chemical performances, reaction mechanisms, and pros and cons of advanced oxidation processes in the degradation of some organic compounds of distillery wastewater are discussed. The authors also discuss issues associated with practical wastewater treatment and offer suggestions for the direction for future research.