Treatment of membrane-concentrated landfill leachate by heterogeneous chemical and electrical Fenton processes with Iron-loaded granular activated carbon catalysts

Abstract

The composition of the membrane-concentrated landfill leachate (MCLL) is complex with a high concentration of organic matter and inorganic ions. In this study, a chemical and an electro-Fenton system were constructed to treat MCLL from a mature landfill using granular activated carbon loaded with iron oxides as heterogeneous Fenton catalysts. In the chemical Fenton treatment optimized by orthogonal experiments, the COD and colour removal rates were 93.9% and 80.2%. For the electro-Fenton system, the best COD, colour, and TN removal rates of MCLL reached 95.7%, 99%, and 94.9% with an energy consumption (EC) of 0.098 kWh·(g COD)−1 under the condition of pH 6, applied voltage 8 V, the reaction time 4 h, and the catalyst dosage 16.67 g L−1. Various spectral analyses confirmed that refractory organic matter and toxic substances in the MCLL were effectively degraded. The synergistic effect study of the factors in chemical Fenton indicated that as far as the effect on COD removal is concerned, heterogeneous Fenton system > catalyst adsorption > activated carbon/H2O2 system > activated carbon adsorption. The results of free radical quenching experiments illustrate that a large amount of ·OH was produced in the chemical heterogeneous Fenton system, while both ·OH and active chlorine play important roles in the removal of pollutants for the electro-Fenton system. MCLL can be disposed of costly and effectively by chemical and electrical Fenton processes with Iron-loaded granular activated carbon catalysts.