Decolorization of Colored Wastewater Containing Azo Acid Dye Using Photo-Fenton Process: Operational Parameters and a Comparative Study

In this paper, the decolorization of colored textile wastewater was investigated using Photo-Fenton process. Acid Blue 92 (AB92) was used as an azo acid dye model. The effect of decolorization parameters such as ferrous ion concentration, dye concentration and sodium salts (acetate, nitrate, carbonate and bicarbonate) were investigated. The maximum iron (II) concentration was set to maximum allowable discharge level to environment. The rate of decolorization reaction decreased by increasing dye concentration and in the presence of sodium salts. For a comparative study, decolorization of AB92 was also performed by photocatalysis using immobilized titania and combined Photo-Fenton - photocatalysis processes. The Photo-Fenton process had the greatest decolorization rate in comparison to photocatalysis and combined Photo-Fenton - photocatalysis processes. The results showed that the Photo-Fenton process had the decolorization capability of colored wastewater at different dye concentrations and in the presence of sodium salts. J. Color Sci. Tech. 2(2008), 31-40. © Institute for Colorants, Paint and Coatings.