Fenton’s Oxidation of Phenalkamine Condensate Using Aluminium Dross and Laterite Iron Nanoparticle as a Catalyst

Abstract

The use of low cost and eco-friendly catalysts in heterogeneous Fenton for the treatment of an actual Phenalkamine condensate (having COD varying from 83000 to 150000 mg/L) was investigated. Phenalkamine is a curing agent which is produced by the reaction of cardanol, and amines. The Phenalkamine condensate has high pH, high COD, and low BOD/COD ratio. The efficiency of Aluminium dross and Iron nanoparticle as catalysts instead of the conventional Fe (II) salts were evaluated. Aluminium dross is a waste product which is obtained during aluminium smelting process and the usage of this waste also reduces the disposal issues related to Al dross. Iron nanoparticle (FeNP) was synthesized using laterite soil as the Iron source and cashew apple extract as the reducing agent. The main operating parameters for heterogeneous Fenton's reaction were pH, H2O2: COD ratio and H2O2: Catalyst ratio. The optimal conditions were obtained as pH=3, H2O2: COD=1.25:1, H2O2: Al3+ =25:1 with a maximum COD removal efficiency of 75.83%, for Aluminium dross and pH=3.5, H2O2: COD=1.67:1, H2O2: FeNP =20 with a maximum COD removal efficiency of 88.91%, for Iron nanoparticle as the catalyst. Comparable efficiencies were obtained for both the catalysts, which proves that they can be used as an alternative to conventional Fe (II) salts in Fenton’s process.