Comparison of the Efficiency of Fenton and Photo–Fenton Processes for the Removal of Reactive Red 198 Dye from the Aqueous Solution

The textile industry produces a large amount of polluted effluents discharged into the environment. Therefore, this research was carried out to compare the efficiency of removal of Reactive red 198 (RR–198) dye by fenton and photo– fenton processes and determine the optimal conditions for maximum removal. This study was conducted on a laboratory scale. The effect of influential parameters, including pH (3–9), Fe(II) concentration (10–200mg/L), H2O2 concentration (25–150mg/L), dye concentration (50–200mg/L) and reaction time (15–90min.) on dye removal was investigated and the optimal conditions were determined according to the maximum dye removal efficiency. The results indicated that the dye removal rate increased as the pH and Fe(II) concentration decreased. The optimal conditions for RR–198 removals from the aqueous solution are pH of 3, Fe (II) concentration of 10mg/L, H2O2 concentration of 50mg/L, the initial dye concentration of 50mg/L, and the reaction time of 15min.. The maximum dye removal efficiency under optimal conditions was 98.82%. The results of this study revealed that the photo–fenton process was superior to the removal of dye compared to fenton process.