Furfural degradation in waste water by advanced oxidation process using UVH2O2

Abstract EN

Furfural is one of the one of pollutants in refinery industrial wastewaters.

In this study advanced oxidation process using UV/H2O2 was investigated for furfural degradation in synthetic wastewater.

The results from the experimental work showed that the degradation of furfural decreases as its concentration increases, reaching 100% at 50mg/l furfural concentration and increasing the concentration of H2O2 from 250 to 500 mg/l increased furfural removal from 40 to 60%.The degradation of furfural reached 100% after 90 min exposure time using two UV lamps, where it reached 60% using one lamp after 240 min exposure time.

The rate of furfural degradation k increased at the pH and initial concentration of furfural decreased, but different H2O2concentrations indicated no significant effects on the reaction rate.

UV/H2O2 process is effective for furfural degradation in wastewater at neutral pH where the disposal of such effluents will be within the environmental limitations.