A comparative study of advanced oxidative processes : Degradation of chlorinated organic compounds in ultrafiltration fractions of kraft pulp bleaching effluent

Abstract

Oxidative pre-treatment methods such as the Fenton oxidation, ozonation, and photocatalytic treatment have been compared in reducing adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) and chlorophenolic compounds in untreated kraft pulp bleaching effluent. Their efficiency was also studied on effluent ultrafiltration fractions. The Fenton treatment removed all analyzed chlorophenolic compounds from the effluent. Ozonation and photocatalysis appeared to be much less effective methods. The efficiency of the Fenton oxidation appeared to be more pronounced in higher molecular weight effluent fractions. This suggests a novel design, where the filtration stage can be placed after the oxidation, and the high- -molecular weight fraction is returned to the Fenton treatment.