Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of solar/H2O2 and solar photo-fenton processes for the disinfection of domestic wastewaters

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Published:
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two solar-based processes (solar/H2O2 and solar photo-fenton) for the inactivation of E. coli in simulated domestic wastewater. Different H2O2 concentrations were applied for solar/H2O2 process (5, 10, 50 and 150 mg/L) and for solar photo-fenton process (10, 30 and 50 mg/L) at different light intensities (200 W/m2 and 500 W/m2) in glass beakers under solar simulator. The application of light at 200 W/m2 and 500 W/m2 showed no difference on the removal time in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. However, in the presence of H2O2, removal times decreased significantly with the elevation of light intensity. When H2O2 concentration was increased, the removal times decreased consistently for solar photofenton process and solar/H2O2 process both at 200 W/m2 and 500 W/m2, except for the process with solar/50 mg/L H2O2 at 500 W/ m2. These results imply that solar/H2O2 and solar photo-fenton processes may be a good alternative for disinfection of domestic wastewaters which contains high amounts of organic and inorganic materials.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agullo-Barcelo, M., Polo-Lopez, M. I., Lucena, F., Jofre, J., and Fernandez-Ibanez, P. (2013). “Solar advanced oxidation processes as disinfection tertiary treatments for real wastewater: Implications for water reclamation.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vols. 136–137, pp. 341–350, DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.01.069.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AWWOA, Overview of Wastewater Disinfection (2010). https://awwoa.ab.ca/pdfs/UVDisinfection.pdf (accessed: 12.03.2012).

  • Belgiorno, V., Naddeo, V., and Rizzo, L. (2010) Water, Wastewater and Soil Treatment by Advanced Oxidation Processes(AOPs), SEED, Fisciano(SA), Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushnie, T. P. T., Robertson, P. K. J., Officer, S., Pollard, P. M., McCullagh, C., and Robertson, J. M. C. (2009). “Variables to be considered when assessing the photocatalytic destruction of bacterial pathogens.” Chemosphere, Vol. 74, No. 10, pp. 1374–1378, DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.11.012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feuerstein, O., Moreinos, D., and Steinberg, D. (2006). “Synergic antibacterial effect between visible light and hydrogen peroxide on Streptococcus mutans.” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Vol. 57, No. 5, pp. 872–876, DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkl070.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Fernández, I., Polo-López, M. I., Oller, I., and Fernández-Ibánez, P. (2012). “Bacteria and fungi inactivation using Fe3+/sunlight, H2O2/sunlight and near neutral photo-Fenton: A comparative study.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vols. 121–122, pp. 20–29, DOI:10.1016/j.apcatb.2012.03.012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García-Fernández, I., Fernández-Calderero, I., Polo-López, M. I., and Fernández-Ibánez, P. (2015). “Disinfection of urban effluents using solar TiO2 photocatalysis: A study of significance of dissolved oxygen, temperature, type of microorganism and water matrix.” Catalysis Today, Vol. 240, pp. 30–38, DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2014.03.026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giannakis, S., Darakas, E., Escalas-Cañellas, A., and Pulgarin, C. (2014). “The antagonistic and synergistic effects of temperature during solar disinfection of synthetic secondary effluent.” Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, Vol. 280, pp. 14–26, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.02.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giannakis, S., Darakas, E., Escalas-Cañellas, A., and Pulgarin, C. (2015). “Environmental considerations on solar disinfection of wastewater and the subsequent bacterial (re)growth.” Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, Vol. 14, Issue 3, pp. 618–625, DOI: 10.1039/c4pp00266k.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grieken, R. V., Marugán, J., Pablos, C., Furones, L., and López, A. (2010). “Comparison between the photocatalytic inactivation of Grampositive E. faecalis and Gram-negative E. coli faecal contamination indicator microorganisms.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vol. 100, Issues 1–2, pp. 212–220, DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2010.07.034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, C. W. (1999). Applications of Hydrogen Peroxide and Derivatives, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koivunen, J. and Heinonen-Tanski, H. (2005). “Inactivation of enteric microorganisms with chemical disinfectants, UV irradiation and combined chemical/UV treatments.” Water Research, Vol. 39, Issue 8, pp. 1519–1526, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2005.01.021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lydakis-Simantiris, N., Riga, D., Katsivela, E., Mantzavinos, D., and Xekoukoulotakis, N. P. (2010) “Disinfection of spring water and secondary treated municipal wastewater by TiO2 photocatalysis.” Desalination, Vol. 250, Issue 1, pp. 351–355, DOI: 10.1016/ j.desal.2009.09.055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maier, R. M., Pepper, I. L., and Gerba, C. P. (2000). Environmental Microbiology, Third Edition, Academic Press, San Diego, California, U.S.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malato, S., Fernández-Ibánez, P., Maldonado, M. I., Blanco, J., and Gernjak, W. (2009). “Decontamination and disinfection of water by solar photocatalysis: Recent overview and trends.” Catalysis Today, Vol. 147, Issue 1, pp. 1–59, DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2009.06.018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neyens, E. and Baeyens, J. (2003). “A review of classic Fenton’s peroxidation as an advanced oxidation technique.” Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 98, Nos. 1–3, pp. 33–50, DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3894(02)00282-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2001). Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals, Simulation Test-Aerobic Sewage Treatment, 303A, pp. 1-50.

  • Ortega-Gómez, E., Esteban García, B., Ballesteros Martín, M. M., Fernández Ibánez, P., and Sánchez Pérez, J. A. (2013). “Inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis in simulated wastewater treatment plant effluent by solar photo-Fenton at initial neutral pH.” Catalysis Today, Vol. 209, pp. 195–200, DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2013. 03.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ortega-Gomez, E., Esteban Garcia, B., Ballesteros Martin, M. M., Fernandez Ibanez, P., and Sanchez Perez, J. A. (2014). “Inactivation of natural enteric bacteria in real municipal wastewater by solar photo-Fenton at neutral pH.” Water Research, Vol. 63, pp. 316–324, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.05.034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polo-Lopez, M. I., Garcia-Fernandez, I., Oller, I., and Fernandez-Ibanez, P. (2011). “Solar disinfection of fungal spores in water aided by low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.” Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, Vol. 10, Issue 3, pp. 381–388, DOI: 10.1039/c0pp00174k.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polo-Lopez, M. I., Garcia-Fernandez, I., Velegraki, T., Katsoni, A., Oller, I., Mantzavinos, D. and Fernandez-Ibanez, P. (2012). “Mild solar photo-Fenton: An effective tool for the removal of Fusarium from simulated municipal effluents.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vols. 111–112, pp. 545–554, DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2011.11.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polo-López, M. I., Oller, I., and Fernández-Ibánez, P. (2013). “Benefits of photo-Fenton at low concentrations for solar disinfection of distilled water. A case study: Phytophthora capsici.” Catalysis Today, Vol. 209, pp. 181–187, DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2012.10.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rincón, A. G. and Pulgarin, C. (2003). “Photocatalytical inactivation of E. coli: effect of (continuous-intermittent) light intensity and of (suspended-fixed) TiO2 concentration.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vol. 44, Issue 3, pp. 263–284, DOI: 10.1016/S0926-3373(03)00076-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rincón, A. G. and Pulgarin, C. (2004). “Effect of pH, inorganic ions, organic matter and H2O2 on E. coli K12 photocatalytic inactivation by TiO2 Implications in solar water disinfection.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vol. 51, Issue 4, pp. 283–302, DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2004.03.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rincón, A. G. and Pulgarin, C. (2006). “Comparative evaluation of Fe3+ and TiO2 photoassisted processes in solar photocatalytic disinfection of water.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vol. 63, Issues 3–4, pp. 222–231, DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2005.10.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez-Chueca, J., Polo-López, M. I., Mosteo, R., Ormad, M. P., and Fernández-Ibánez, P. (2014). “Disinfection of real and simulated urban wastewater effluents using a mild solar photo-Fenton.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vols. 150–151, pp. 619–629, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2013.12.027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shwetharani, R. and Balakrishna, R. G. (2014). “Comparative study of homogeneous and heterogeneous photo-oxidative treatment on bacterial cell via multianalytical techniques.” Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, Vol. 295, pp. 11–16, DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.08.013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sichel, C., Fernandez-Ibanez, P., Cara, M. D., and Tello, J. (2009). “Lethal synergy of solar UV-radiation and H2O2 on wild Fusarium solani spores in distilled and natural well water.” Water Research, Vol. 43, Issue 7, pp. 1841–1850, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2009.01.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spuhler, D., Rengifo-Herrera, J. A., and Pulgarin, C. (2010). “The effect of Fe2+, Fe3+, H2O2 and the photo-Fenton reagent at near neutral pH on the solar disinfection (SODIS) at low temperatures of water containing Escherichia coli K12.” Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Vol. 96, Issues 1–2, pp. 126–141, DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2010.02.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO, Water related diseases:information sheets/Diarrhoea (2000}). http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/diarrhoea/en/(accessed:16.10.2014)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Environmental Engineering, Uludag University, 16059, Nilufer, Bursa, Turkey

    Burcu Sengul Topac & Ufuk Alkan

Authors
  1. Burcu Sengul Topac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ufuk Alkan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Burcu Sengul Topac.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Topac, B.S., Alkan, U. Comparison of solar/H2O2 and solar photo-fenton processes for the disinfection of domestic wastewaters. KSCE J Civ Eng 20, 2632–2639 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-0416-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-0416-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation