The Study of Photocatalytic Oxidation Process (UV-Fe2O3) Efficiency for Removal Hydroquinone from Aqueous Solution

Hydroquinone used widely in industry. That is toxic for organisms, fish, plants, and humans. Its removal from industrial wastewater and water is a serious problem. The aim of this study was the investigation of the efficiency of photocatalytic oxidation process (UV-Fe2O3) in removal and on the biodegradability of hydroquinone from aqueous solutions.
Oxidation process of hydroquinone was studied by adding Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the form of suspension in a 2.5- liter volume glass batch reactor. The influence of variables such as the concentration of pollutants (10-50mg/l), ultraviolet light intensity (12-20w/m2), and dose of iron oxide nanoparticles (0.5-2gr/l), reaction time (5-90min), and pH (5-7-10) on the efficiency of photocatalytic oxidation process was studied.
The results showed that the highest removal efficiency of 60% was yielded at pH of 7.5 the pollutant concentration of 40 g/L, contact time of 60 minutes, the nanoparticle dose of 1 g /L, and light intensity of 16 w/m2. The ratios of BOD5/COD for the absence and presence of photocatalytic oxidation in optimum condition were 0.09 and 0.56, respectively.
Totally the results showed that the UV/ Fe2O3 process could be used as an effective method for the removal of the hydroquinone from aqueous solutions and to increase its biodegradability.