Abstract
The sulfamethoxazole (SMX) mineralization through the solar photo electro-Fenton (SPEF) process in a pilot plant containing 20L of 50mgL−1 SMX solution was investigated. The process was carried out at pH 3 under different operational conditions varying temperature, volumetric flow and applied current density. Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize the experimental variables of the SPEF process. Under the optimal conditions, the SPEF was compared with electro-Fenton (EF) and anodic oxidation (AO- H2O2) processes. Under optimum design variables of 47mAcm−2, 45°C and 571Lh−1, SPEF was more efficient yielding 90% of TOC removal after 360min of reaction with a maximum of 83% of mineralization current efficiency (MCE). The main by-products detected on the final solution treated by SPEF were oxalic, maleic, oxamic and fumaric acids, while NH4+ and NO3− were the main inorganic nitrogen ions released during the process.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
