Evaluation of efficiency and optimization of Photo- Fenton process parameters in beet sugar wastewater treatment using response surface methodology (RSM)

The wastewater obtained from sugar production cannot be naturally degraded due to the presence of various color precursors, colored impurities, lime carbonation sludge and other organic impurities. In this study, optimization of the effective parameters for the sugar industry wastewater treatment is investigated using photo- Fenton process and response surface methodology.

 This empirical research was conducted on a laboratory scale on refined wastewater obtained from sugar beet factory (Qazvin, Iran), in ternms of the intensity of contamination, considering the reduction of the three factors including COD, phenolic, and color content using the advanced oxidation process (photo- Fenton process). In order to optimize the ocndions for wastewater treatment, the results of these experiments wre ultimately optimized by response surface methodology.

The results obtained that the optimal condition for color and phenolic removal were: pH of 6.1' reaction time 15 minutes' Fenton's reagent (Fe2+/H2O2) concentrations: 20/1500 of ppm. Under these conditions, the color and phenolic reduction were achieved 73.92% and 93.9%, respectively.

The photo- Fenton process has a good efficacy in treating the sugar industry wastewater in the removal of important pollution parameters such as color impurities, phenolic compounds, and COD.Also, the statistical results showed that the pH parameter, Fenton's reagent concentration and contact time were significant during treatment process (p<0.05).