H2O2/UV enhanced degradation of pesticides in wastewater

• Published in: Water science and technology Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 261 - 266
• Main Authors: Kowalska, E, Janczarek, M, Hupka, J, Grynkiewicz, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IWA Publishing 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Agrochemicals; Ashes; Gases; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Industrial Waste; Industrial wastes; Industrial wastewater; Irradiation; Organic pesticides; Oxidants - chemistry; Pesticides; Pesticides - chemistry; Pesticides - isolation & purification; Photochemical reactions; Photochemicals; Photochemistry; Photodegradation; Pollutant removal; Pretreatment; Reactors; Sedimentation; Ultraviolet Rays; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Wastewater; Water Purification - methods
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.2004.0279

Photodegradation of organic pesticides in industrial wastewater was examined in a UV/H2O2/air system. An experimentally determined optimal amount of hydrogen peroxide (0.008% v/v) indicates that hydrogen peroxide concentration controlled the efficiency of photodegradation. Pre-treatment operations such as sedimentation, filtration and coagulation were used to obtain better efficiency of pesticide removal and to cut down on irradiation time. Finally, scale-up experiments in the air-sparged hydrocyclone (ASH) reactor were carried out. After 5 min irradiation of 100 dm3 industrial wastewater almost all pesticides were destroyed. Thus the ASH reactor proved to be an effective contactor for carrying out photochemical reactions.