Abstract
Propylene glycol (PG) wastewater seriously threatens aquatic lives and causes health damage to human beings. Several early studies for PG degradation focused on biological process, which usually proceeds at a slow rate and is often inhibited by substances which are toxic to the microorganisms. In this paper, Fenton method was exploited for treating PG wastewater in a semi-continuous reactor with adding ferrous sulfate (FeSO 4) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) to the reactor, respectively. Semi-continuous applications of H 2O 2 and Fe 2+ could result in low steady state of HO , which would minimize HO scavenging and further increase PG oxidation efficiency. Under the optimal conditions, 99.1% of PG conversion and 88.4% of COD removal were achieved. In addition, pseudo-first-order model, in which the concentration of HO was assumed to remain constant, was established. The intrinsic activation energy of HO with PG, calculated by Arrhenius-equation was 35.18 kJ/mol. The intrinsic reaction rate constant of HO with PG around optimal conditions was 1.56–1.72 × 10 8 M −1 s −1. After Fenton's reaction, PG molecules could not be thoroughly oxidized to H 2O and CO 2. Intermediates, such as aldehyde, acetone, methanol, formic acid, and acetic acid, were checked by GC–MS, which all had a very low content and toxicity. As a homogeneous catalytic oxidation, Fenton oxidation is a feasible treatment for PG wastewater for its low toxicity, low price, and high efficiency.
Published Version
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