Exploring the role of hydrogen peroxide dosage strategies in the photo-Fenton process: Scaling from lab-scale to pilot plant solar reactor

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal advances 2024-08, Vol.19, p.100627, Article 100627
• Main Authors: Giménez, Bárbara N., Schenone, Agustina V., Conte, Leandro O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ferrioxalate; Hydrogen peroxide dosage strategies; Natural pH; Pharmaceutical wastewater; Pilot plant reactor; Solar photo-Fenton
• ISSN: 2666-8211; 2666-8211
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceja.2024.100627

•The impact of H2O2 continuous dosage on solar photo-Fenton process was assessed.•Various water matrices were tested in laboratory and pilot-plant solar photoreactors.•Complex matrices showed lower PCT degradation and higher oxidant consumption.•Pharmaceutical wastewater negatively affects PCT conversion and final toxicity.•Solar assays exhibited enhanced PCT and TOC conversion compared to lab-scale tests. This study aims to investigate the role of hydrogen peroxide (HP) continuous dosage in removing Paracetamol (PCT) from different water matrices using the solar photo-Fenton process. Different parameters in the HP dosage strategies (initial HP pulse, dosing time, and HP concentration) were systematically analysed to assess their impacts on pollutant removal (XPCT), oxidant specific consumption (YHP/PCTt), and toxicity levels (I(%)). The analysis involved various water matrices (ultrapure water UW, groundwater GW, anion matrix AW, and synthetic pharmaceutical wastewater IW0.01 or IW0.1), which were firstly treated in a laboratory reactor and subsequently scaled up to a solar prototype. After laboratory testing, the most effective reaction configuration (maximum XPCT and YHP/PCTt close to the stoichiometric one) was chosen as the starting point for scaling up the reaction system. Using the solar reactor setup, complete PCT conversion was achieved within just 60 min of reaction time (UW matrix). However, under IW0.1 condition and employing the same HP dosing strategy, a XPCT of 95.4 % was attained but at 180 min of reaction, highlighting the significant influence of the real matrix. Additionally, the I(%) remained high towards the end of the reaction (close to 60 %), attributed to the presence of hydroquinone in the system, demanding longer reaction times to completely reduce the toxicity when working with industrial wastewater. This comprehensive approach aims to close the gap between lab results and practical applications, offering crucial insights to address pharmaceutical wastewater pollution. [Display omitted]