The efficiency and mechanism in a novel electro-Fenton process assisted by anodic photocatalysis on advanced treatment of coal gasification wastewater

A novel dual-chamber photo-electrochemical oxidation system with Fe@Fe2O3/CF cathode was constructed by combining cathodic electro-Fenton and anodic photocatalysis for advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater (CGW). In the electro-Fenton cathode chamber, maximal chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 84.2% was arrived within 120 min at current density 10 mA/cm(2), initial pH 3 and air flow rate 0.4 L/min for its initial concentration of 200 mg/L. Correspondingly, the effluent concentration of COD, BOD5, TOC and total phenols were 31.5, 3.9, 8.4 and 13.8 mg/L respectively, satisfying the stringent wastewater discharge standard. Moreover, the H2O2 concentration change and wastewater acute toxicity were analyzed. Furthermore, a reasonable degradation mechanism was proposed based on the contribution of hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH), and thus degradation pathway of phenol as typical pollutant was also speculated. The integrated system is confirmed to be high-effective and stable, and thus it is a potentially promising alternative for treatment toxic refractory industrial wastewater.