Comparative analysis of a UVC-LED assisted photo-Fenton performance for microcontaminants and bacteria removal.

PICHEL, NATALIA; BENZAQUÉN, TAMARA B.; SORIANO-MOLINA, PAULA; LÓPEZ CASAS, JOSÉ LUIS; SÁNCHEZ PÉREZ, JOSÉ ANTONIO

Milan

Conferencia; 3rd IWA Disinfection and Disinfection By-Products Conference; 2022

International Water Association (IWA)

This work studies the feasibility of a UVC-LED assisted photo-Fenton system for simultaneous contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and bacteria removal to meet EU 2020/741. Disinfection of E. coli and C. perfringens, and removal of CECs present in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) secondary effluent were assessed at neutral pH in continuous flow operation. After 30 min of treatment in batch mode, E. coli and C. perfringens reached the detection limit (DL) and 37% removal of CECs was attained. In continuous flow operation, at 30 min hydraulic retention time (HRT), CECs suffered 35% degradation, E. coli met EU 2020/741 and C. perfringens load was ≤102 CFU/100 mL. Extended HRTs would be required in flow mode to reach disinfection objectives set for C. perfringens. Thus, sequencing batch reactor operation around 30 min cycle time is suggested. As conclusion, this study demonstrates the UVC-LED assisted photo-Fenton application as tertiary treatment for simultaneous CECs and bacteria removal meeting EU 2020/741.