Degradation of phenol, into mineral compounds, in aqueous solutions using Zero-Valent Iron Powder (ZVIP)

Abstract

This paper presents an original approach to the treatment of phenolic aqueous solution by using zero-valent iron powder (ZVIP). In batch reactors under water treatment conditions (room temperature and pH: 4-7), a rapid degradation of phenol in the presence of iron powder 40-60 mesh (40 gL -1 ) was observed. The decline in the phenol concentration was monitored by a spectrofluorometer (Shimadzu RF 5301 PC), a spectrophotometer (UV-Vis Shimadzu 1650 PC) and GC (Gas Chromatography). Due to the degradation reaction, a large decrease in the total organic carbon (TOC) value, which was measured by a Shimadzu TOC analyzer model 5000 A, had been observed. The degradation enthalpy was measured by a micro-calorimeter SETARAM C80 and was compared to the formation enthalpy of phenol. In addition, experiments were run in buffer solutions. With different pH values, different degradation rates were obtained indicating that the pH plays an important role in the degradation process. Moreover, a kinetic study was performed and a potential mechanism of the degradation process is proposed.