Degradation of paracetamol in aqueous solution by Fenton Oxidation and photo-Fenton Oxidation processes using iron from Laterite soil as catalyst

Abstract

For the treatment of paracetamol in water, the photo-Fenton Oxidation process and Classic Fenton oxidation process have been demonstrated and found effective. An iron catalyst extracted from lateritic soil is used to exhibit the degradation and mineralization of paracetamol. Paracetamol reduction and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal are measured as the objective functions to be maximized. The experimental conditions of the degradation of paracetamol are optimized by Fenton process. the optimum conditions observed for 10 mg/L initial paracetamol concentration are influent pH 3, initial H <inf>2</inf>O <inf>2</inf> dosage 30 mg/L, [paracetamol]/[H <inf>2</inf>O <inf>2</inf>] ratio 1:3 (w/w) and [H <inf>2</inf>O <inf>2</inf>] / [Laterite iron] ratio 30:0.75 (w/w). At the optimum conditions, for 10 mg/L of initial paracetamol concentration, 76% paracetamol reduction and 69% COD removal by Fenton oxidation and 79% paracetamol reduction and 77% COD removal by UV-C Fenton process are observed in 120 minutes reaction time. At the above optimum conditions, HPLC analysis has demonstrated 100% removal of paracetamol for Fenton oxidation process in 240 minutes and for UV-C photo- Fenton process in 120 minutes. The methods are effective and they may be used in the paracetamol industry. © 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY.