Optimization of Disperse Blue 3 mineralization by UV-LED/FeTiO3 activated persulfate using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) was successfully applied for the optimization of the UV-LED/FeTiO3 activated persulfate (PS) process. Disperse Blue 3 (DB3) azo dye oxidation was carried out in a quartz jacketed stirred batch reactor using 405 nm UV at 10W/m(-2) as radiation source. The effects of temperature, catalyst concentration and persulfate dose upon the total organic carbon (TOC) removal were investigated. Optimum operating conditions were found to be: ilmenite: 320 mg/L-1, PS: 1.56 g/L-1 and 67 degrees C. Under these conditions, 96% mineralization was achieved. Ecotoxicity of the final effluent was evaluated using Aliivibrio fischeri bacteria, finding a negligible toxicity. (C) 2017 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.