Fenton Oxidation of the Concentrated Wastewater of Fruit Processing Industry: Optimization of the Experimental Conditions

Abstract

In this study, as an advanced oxidation processes, Fenton oxidation were applied for treatability of the concentrated wastewater originated from apple processing industry. The effects of experimental variables on the results were statistically evaluated by using surface response methodology (RSM). The effects of dimensionless oxidant dose (DOD), H2O2/Fe2+ ratio, and reaction time on COD (chemical oxygen demand), TSS (total suspended solids) and TPC (total phenolic content) removal efficiencies were investigated. COD, TPC and TSS values of the apple processing wastewater (APW) were determined as 172800 mg/L, 1476 mg GAE/L, and 2200 mg/L, respectively. The maximum removal efficiencies by Fenton oxidation for COD, TPC and TSS removal were obtained as 99%, 97% and 93%, respectively, under the experimental conditions of H2O2/Fe2+: 50, DOD: 2 and 60 min reaction time. As a result of ANOVA, the DOD value showed the most significant effect on all removal efficiencies. The H2O2/Fe2+ ratio was statistically less effective on the COD and TPC removal efficiency while reaction time was less effective on the TSS removal efficiency.