Optimization of Fenton-based treatment of petroleum refinery wastewater with scrap iron using response surface methodology

The ever-increasing number and production capacity of petroleum refineries in recent years have intensified the need for developing an effective and practical method for treating their wastewaters. In this study, the application of Fenton process with scrap iron powder was investigated for the treatment of a bio-refractory petroleum refinery effluent. Response surface methodology was employed with a cubic IV optimal design to optimize the process using chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal as the target response. H2O2/COD, and H2O2/Fe mass ratios as well as pH were considered as the relevant parameters. A COD removal of more than 83 % was achieved under optimal conditions (H2O2/COD 10.03, H2O2/Fe 2.66 and pH 3.0) within 90 min. Kinetics studies were conducted to investigate the effect of reaction time on COD removal. In addition, the role of post-coagulation on COD removal under optimal conditions was investigated and it was found that 37 % of COD removal occurred due to coagulation, indicating its high potential in the Fenton process.