Water Science & Technology Vol 65 No 10 pp 1795–1800 © IWA Publishing 2012 doi:10.2166/wst.2012.078

Decolorization and mineralization of Diarylide Yellow 12 (PY12) by photo-Fenton process: the Response Surface Methodology as the optimization tool

Edison GilPavas, Izabela Dobrosz-Gómez and Miguel Ángel Gómez-García

The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied as a tool for the optimization of the operational conditions of the photo-degradation of highly concentrated PY12 wastewater, resulting from a textile industry located in the suburbs of Medellin (Colombia). The Box-Behnken experimental Design (BBD) was chosen for the purpose of response optimization. The photo-Fenton process was carried out in a laboratory-scale batch photo-reactor. A multifactorial experimental design was proposed, including the following variables: the initial dyestuff concentration, the H₂O₂ and the Fe⁺² concentrations, as well as the UV wavelength radiation. The photo-Fenton process performed at the optimized conditions resulted in ca. 100% of dyestuff decolorization, 92% of COD and 82% of TOC degradation. A kinetic study was accomplished, including the identification of some intermediate compounds generated during the oxidation process. The water biodegradability reached a final DBO₅/DQO = 0.86 value.

Keywords: Diarylide Yellow 12; photo-Fenton process; statistical optimization; textile wastewater

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