Fenton Process: a Case Study for Treatment of Industrial Waste Water

This paper explains the Fenton process – Advanced Oxidation Process for treatment of industrial waste water and effect of various parameters on Fenton process. AOPs are the process that generates the hydroxyl radical that oxidizes the impurity compounds and purifies the waste water. For generation of hydroxyl radical there are many methods are available. Fenton process is an advanced oxidation process that uses the ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide. Many metals have special oxygen transfer properties which improve the utility of hydrogen peroxide. The most common of these is iron which, when used in the prescribed manner, results in the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH). The reactivity of this system was first observed in 1894 by its inventor H.J.H. Fenton. Fenton’s reagent is the result of reaction between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ferrous iron (Fe), producing the hydroxyl radical (OH). The hydroxyl radical is a strong oxidant capable of oxidizing various organic compounds. Today, Fenton’s Reagent is used to treat a variety of industrial wastes containing a range of toxic organic compounds dyestuffs, pesticides, wood preservatives, plastics additives, and rubber chemicals.