Solar photo-Fenton technology in conjunction with a sequential batch reactor for the degradation of textile dyeing effluent

The novelty of present work was employed steel scrap as a substitute for the conventional Fenton catalyst in the Fenton chemical process. It was experimented to determine the degradation of textile dyeing effluent using three different types of light: room light, ultraviolet light, and solar light. In order to fulfil the colour and COD degradation regulations, a sequential batch reactor (SBR) biological treatment was combined with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system using steel as the catalyst. Solar light intensity, catalyst reusability, effluent volume, kinetic study, and contact time were all factors that were investigated. Based on laboratory-scale feasibility experiments, the most effective catalyst dosage for solar photo-Fenton with steel scrap as the catalyst was 1 g/L, with an H2O2 dosage of 132 Mm and a pH of 3. The maximum colour degradation efficiency was 99.7 %, and the COD degradation efficiency was 73 %. Aerobic biological treatment using a combination of solar photo-Fenton and steel scrap catalyst has successfully removed colour and COD like 99.8 % and 91.1 % respectively. The total cost of wastewater treatment by coupled treatment processes was Rs 726/m3 of textile dyeing wastewaters. In a textile dyeing industry at Thirupur the treatment cost of textile dyeing effluent is Rs 812/m3. There is 10 % cost reduction. For an industry treating 20 m3/d, the savings in cost amount to Rs 1600 daily.