Fenton and Photo-Fenton Degradation of a Herbicide in Water: Kinetic Study

BENZAQUEN, T.B.; ISLA, M.A.; ALFANO, O.M.

Conferencia; 3rd. European Conference on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes; 2013

This study is focused on the kinetic modelling of the Fenton and photo-Fenton degradation of a model pollutant (atrazine) in aqueous solution. The effects of hydrogen peroxide, ferric ion and radiation level on the degradation processes have been investigated. The experimental work was performed in a well stirred tank laboratory reactor irradiated from both sides with two tubular UV-lamps. The reaction rate expressions are derived from an accepted reaction mechanism and explicitly taking into account the local volumetric rate of photon absorption existing in the photoreactor. Model predictions were compared with experimental data, and a good agreement was obtained. The maximum root mean square error (RMSE) for all the estimations was < 2%. The obtained results indicate that Fenton and photo-Fenton processes are a possible way to improve the biodegradability of a wastewater containing commercial atrazine.