Investigation of the Efficiency of Electro-Fenton and UV/TiO2 Processes for Para-Chlorophenol Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Background and & Chlorophenols are classified as non-biodegradable hazardous materials. Therefore, the purpose of this study was investigation of electro-Fenton and UV/TiO2 processes efficiencies in removal of para-chlorophenol from aqueous solution.
In this experimental study a cylindrical glass equipped with 2 iron electrodes with total effective surface area of 50 cm2, as a electro-Fenton reactor, and a quartz cylindrical reactor with a volume of 190 ml equipped with 2 UVA lamps (6watt), as a photocatalysis reactor, were used to remove para-chlorophenol. The operating parameters of electro-Fenton process such as initial para-chlorophenol concentration, pH, H2O2 concentration and current density were investigated. Then obtained effluent was introduced to UV/TiO2 process and operating parameters such as TiO2 dosage and pH were examined.
The results showed that para-chlorophenol removal efficiency of 65% was achieved in pH=3, H2O2=5 mM, current density=3 mA/cm2, and reaction time of 45 min. In combination of electro-Fenton and UV/TiO2 (pH=5.8 and TiO2=1.5 g/L) processes the removal efficiency of 97% was attained.
The results revealed that combination of electro-Fenton and UV/TiO2 processes is an efficient method to remove para-chlorophenol from aqueous solutions.