Degradation of formaldehyde by advanced oxidation processes

The degradation of formaldehyde in an aqueous solution (400 mg L-1) was studied using photolysis, peroxidation and advanced oxidation processes (UV/H2O2, Fenton and photo-Fenton). Photolysis was the only process tested that did not reduce formaldehyde concentration; however, only advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) significantly decreased dissolved organic carbon (DOC). UV/H2O2 and photo-Fenton AOPs were used to degrade formaldehyde at the highest concentrations (1200-12,000 mg L-1); the processes were able to reduce CH2O by 98% and DOC by 65%. Peroxidation with ultraviolet light (UV/H2O2) improved the efficiency of treatment of effluent from an anatomy laboratory. The effluent's CH2O content was reduced by 91%, DOC by 48%, COD by 46% and BOD by 53% in 420 min of testing. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.