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21 Mayo 2019

Advanced Oxidation Processes

Autor
Félicien Mazille (Aquasis and cewas, international centre for water management services)
Dorothee Spuhler (seecon international gmbh)
Resumen ejecutivo

Hazardous organic waste, widely spread in water by industrial, military and domestic sources, is an emerging issue. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are efficient methods to remove organic contamination not degradable by means of biological processes. AOPs are a set of processes involving the production of very reactive oxygen species able to destroy a wide range of organic compounds. AOPs are driven by external energy sources such as electric power, ultraviolet radiation (UV) or solar light, so these processes are often more expensive than conventional biological wastewater treatment. Moreover, AOPs can be applied for the disinfection of water, air and for remediation of contaminated soils.

Ventajas
Destroys toxic organic compounds without pollution transfer to another phase
Very efficient to treat almost all organic pollutants and remove some toxic metals
Works also for water disinfection
Cheap to install
Adaptable to small scales in developing countries
Desventajas
Relatively high operation costs due to chemicals and/or energy input
Formation of oxidation intermediates potentially toxic
Engineers are required for the design and often also for operation
Emerging technologies (still a lot of research is required)
Entradas Salidas

Drinking Water, Blackwater, Greywater, Non-biodegradable Wastewater, Energy

Drinking Water, Treated Water

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Introduction
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Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) refer to a set of oxidative water treatments that can be used to treat toxic effluents at industrial level, hospitals and wastewater treatment plants. AOPs are successful to transform toxic organic compounds (e.g. drugs, pesticides, endocrine disruptors etc.) into biodegradable substances. AOPs in general are cheap to install but involve high operating costs due to the input of chemicals and energy required (COMINELIS et al. 2008). To limit the costs, AOPs are often used as pre-treatment combined with biologic treatment (PULGARIN et al. 1999). Advanced oxidation was recently also used as quaternary treatment or a polishing step to remove micro-pollutants from the effluents of municipal wastewater treatment plants and for the disinfection of water. The combination of several AOPs is an efficient way to increase pollutant removal and reduce costs.

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Examples of AOPs
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Many methods are classified under the broad definition of AOPs. The table shows some of the most studied processes. Advanced oxidation generally uses strong oxidising agents like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or ozone (O3), catalysts (iron ions, electrodes, metal oxides) and irradiation (UV light, solar light, ultrasounds) separately or in combination under mild conditions (low temperature and pressure). Among different available AOPs, those driven by light seem to be the most popular technologies for wastewater treatment as shown by the large amount of data available in the literature (STASINAKIS 2008). Solar AOPs are particularly attractive due to the abundance of solar light in regions where water scarcity is high and due to their relatively low costs and high efficiencies.

Dark AOP

Light driven AOP

Ozone (O3)

Fenton (Fe2+ + H2O2)

Electrolysis (electrodes + current)

Sonolysis (Ultrasounds)

Photolysis (UV + H2O2)

Photocatalysis (light + catalyst)

Photo-Fenton (solar light + Fenton)

Examples of methods classified as AOPs. Source: STASINAKIS (2008)

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AOP mechanism
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Advanced oxidation involves several steps schematised in the figure below and explained as follows:

  • Formation of strong oxidants (e.g. hydroxyl radicals).
  • Reaction of these oxidants with organic compounds in the water (KOMMINENI et al. 2008) producing biodegradable intermediates.
  • Reaction of biodegradable intermediates with oxidants referred to as mineralisation (i.e. production of water, carbon dioxide and inorganic salts).
Main steps involved in an AOPs treatment of wastewater containing toxic organic compounds. Source: MAZILLE (2011)      
Main steps involved in an AOPs treatment of wastewater containing toxic organic compounds. Source: MAZILLE (2011)      
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Strategies to implement AOPs
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(Adapted from COMNINELLIS et al. 2008)

The costs of AOPs are relatively high and directly related to the efficiency and operational time of the processes. It is therefore worth optimising implementation of AOPs at the right place to limit costs. Several strategies were found to achieve this:

  • Simultaneous application of different AOPs promotes the rates of organics oxidation. Typical examples include UV/H2O2, UV/H2O2/TiO2, UV/Fenton and Ultrasound/UV/TiO2, among others. These types of combinations may lead to synergetic effects when treatment efficiencies are greater than the sum of efficiencies that could be achieved by the individual treatments alone.
  • Sequential application of various AOPs can treat effluents containing a mixture of organics. This approach is useful when the compounds in the mixture present different levels of reactivity towards different AOPs.
  • Application of separation treatment prior to AOP treatment to transfer pollutants to another phase so that they can be treated more easily. Such separation treatment includes stripping, coagulation-flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, adsorption etc.
  • AOPs can be applied in pre-treatment stage to enhance biodegradability and to reduce toxicity followed by biological post-treatment. This approach is based on the fact that biological treatment is perhaps less costly and more environmentally friendly than other destructive treatments and that complete mineralisation by AOPs incurs excessive treatment costs.

 

Possible applications of ozonation and AOPs in wastewater and drinking water treatment. Source: PETROVIC et al. (2011)           
Possible applications of ozonation and AOPs in wastewater and drinking water treatment. Source: PETROVIC et al. (2011)           

 

AOPs can be installed at different stages of waste (and also drinking) water treatment plants depending on influent composition and desired effluent quality. AOPs can be installed either as tertiary treatment after the biological (secondary) treatment of wastewater, or as pre-treatment stage in order to enhance the biodegradability of trace organic contaminants (PETROVIC et al. 2011).

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At a glance
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Working principle

Production of reactive oxygen species able to destroy toxic compounds and biologic contamination in water.

Capacity/adequacy

High-tech equipment required.

Performance

High efficiency except for few chemicals

Costs

High operation costs

Self-help compatibility

Engineers are required for the design

O&M

Generally continuous supply of chemicals (ozone, H2O2…) required

Reliability

Reliable if operating conditions are scaled taking into account wastewater content

Main strength

Destroys almost all organics without pollution transfer to another phase

Main weakness

Operation costs

Aplicabilidad

AOPs have a wide range of applications such as air (odour elimination, purification), soil (remediation) and water decontamination. In water, these processes have the ability to destroy organic pollutants but they can also be adapted to the removal of inorganic metals. Furthermore AOPs are successful to inactivate bacteria, viruses etc. Different kinds of water are therefore suitable for an AOP treatment: for example industrial wastewater containing toxic compounds can be treated by solar photo-Fenton; surface or ground water can be disinfected by means of improved solar water disinfection by adding H2O2 (see also H2O2 and SODIS); both bacteria in drinking water plants or micro-pollutants in sewage systems can be degraded using ozonation; Dissolved arsenic can be removed from water by co-precipitation by means of simple methods (GENORI et al. 2009) in presence of iron (see also arsenic removal technologies).

Referencias

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) applied for wastewater and drinking water treatment. Elimination of pharmaceuticals

PETROVIC, M. ; RADJENOVIC, J. ; BARCELO, D. (2011): Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) applied for wastewater and drinking water treatment. Elimination of pharmaceuticals. Entradas: The Holistic Approach to Environment : Volume 1 , 63-74. URL [Visita: 20.07.2011]

Strategy for the coupling of photochemical and biological flows reactors useful in mineralization of biorecalcitrant industrial pollutants

PULGARIN, C. ; INVERNIZZI, M. ; PARRA, S. ; SARRIA, V. ; PLANIA, R. ; PERINGER, P. (1999): Strategy for the coupling of photochemical and biological flows reactors useful in mineralization of biorecalcitrant industrial pollutants. Entradas: Catalysis Today: Volume 2 , 341-352.
Lecturas complementarias

Treatment of Textile Wastewater by Advanced Oxidation Processes – A Review

This review article focuses on the treatment of textile wastewaters by means of different AOPs.

ADEL, A. K. ; AZNI, I. ; KATAYON, S. ; CHUAH, T.G. (2004): Treatment of Textile Wastewater by Advanced Oxidation Processes – A Review. Entradas: Global Nest: the International Journal – General Information: Volume 6 , 222-230. URL [Visita: 21.05.2019]

Comparison of Different Advanced Oxidation Processes for Treatment of Antibiotic Aqueous Solution

This study compares the treatment of antibiotic aqueous solutions by different light assisted AOPs from a technical and economic point of view.

ELMOLLA E. S. ; CHAUDHURI, M. (2010): Comparison of Different Advanced Oxidation Processes for Treatment of Antibiotic Aqueous Solution . Entradas: Desalination: Volume 256 , 43-47. URL [Visita: 08.09.2011]

Advanced Oxidation Processes and UV Photolysis for Treatment of Drinking Water

This document describes an investigation where the combination of UV light and ozone is used to degrade micro-pollutants in drinking water.

MOFIDI, A. A. ; MIN, J. H. ; PALENCIA, L.S. ; COFFEY, B. M. ; GREEN, J. F. (2002): Advanced Oxidation Processes and UV Photolysis for Treatment of Drinking Water. Entradas: California Energy Commission: URL [Visita: 07.09.2011]

Advanced Oxidation Processes and their Application in the Petroleum Industry: A review

This paper describes a series of AOPs, analysing the aspects related to each type of process, such as the interference of external agents and the ideal operating conditions, based on the analysis and comparison of different studies in the area. In addition, several applied AOP studies on treatment of oil wastewater and on remediation of soil contaminated with oil or its derivatives are presented.

MOTA, A. L. N. ; ALBUQUERQUE, L.F. ; BELTRAME, L.T.C. ; CHIAVONE-FILHO, A. ; MACHULEK JR., A. ; NASCIMENTO, C.A.O. (2008): Advanced Oxidation Processes and their Application in the Petroleum Industry: A review. Entradas: Brazilian Journal of Petroleum and Gas: Volume 2 , 122-142. URL [Visita: 08.09.2011]

Advanced Oxidation Processes – Current Status and Prospects

The paper provides an overview of theoretical basis, efficiency, economics, laboratory and pilot plant testing; design and modelling of different advanced oxidation processes (combinations of ozone and hydrogen peroxide with UV radiation and catalysts).

MUNTEN, R. (2001): Advanced Oxidation Processes – Current Status and Prospects. Entradas: Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Science. Chemistry 50: , 58-80. URL [Visita: 07.09.2011]

Advanced Treatment by Ozonation and Sonolysis for Domestic Wastewater Reuse

This publication describes the combination of ozone and ultrasounds for the disinfection and discoloration of domestic wastewater treatment plant effluents for reuse purposes.

SELCUK, H. ; NADDEO, V. ; BELGIONO, V. (2007): Advanced Treatment by Ozonation and Sonolysis for Domestic Wastewater Reuse. Entradas: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology: URL [Visita: 21.05.2019]

An Overview of the Integration of Advanced Oxidation Technologies and Other Processes for Water and Wastewater Treatment

In this review, recent achievements, developments and trends (2003-2009) on the integration of advanced oxidation technologies and other remediation methods are presented. Selecting the right AOP is discussed taking into account the characteristics of the waste stream, environmental regulations, and cost.

MOHAJERANI, M. ; MEHRVAR, M. ; EIN-MOZAFFARI, F.E. (2009): An Overview of the Integration of Advanced Oxidation Technologies and Other Processes for Water and Wastewater Treatment. Entradas: International Journal of environmental engineering: Volume 3 , 120-146. URL [Visita: 21.05.2019]

Treatment of Textile Wastewater by Advanced Oxidation Processes – A Review

This review article focuses on the treatment of textile wastewaters by means of different AOPs.

ADEL, A. K. ; AZNI, I. ; KATAYON, S. ; CHUAH, T.G. (2004): Treatment of Textile Wastewater by Advanced Oxidation Processes – A Review. Entradas: Global Nest: the International Journal – General Information: Volume 6 , 222-230. URL [Visita: 21.05.2019]
Estudios de caso

Waste Water Treatment by Advanced Oxidation Processes (Solar Photocatalysis in Degradation of Industrial Contaminants)

Saline industrial wastewater containing non-biodegradable compounds (a-methylphenylglycine) can be treated by a photo-Fenton process. However, in order to reduce the treatment costs, the AOP can be coupled with a biologic treatment as soon as water is biodegradable.

MALATO, S. (2007): Waste Water Treatment by Advanced Oxidation Processes (Solar Photocatalysis in Degradation of Industrial Contaminants). Plataforma Solar de Almeria-CIEMAT. [Acccessed: 20.07.2011] PDF

Traitement des Micropolluants dans les Eaux Uses-Rapport Final sur les Essais Pilotes a la STEP de Vidy (Lausanne)

This document presents the results of a pilot study aiming at removing water micropollutants at the Lausanne (Switzerland) wastewater treatment plant.

MARGOT, J. ; MAGNET, A. ; THONNEY, D. ; CHEVRE, N. ; ALENCASTRO, F. de ; ROSSI, L. (2011): Traitement des Micropolluants dans les Eaux Uses-Rapport Final sur les Essais Pilotes a la STEP de Vidy (Lausanne). Entradas: Ed. Ville de Lausanne : URL [Visita: 21.05.2019]
Material de capacitación

Use of Advanced Oxidation Processes to Improve the Biodegradability of Landfill Leachates

Presentation on landfill leachate treatment by coupled biological and electrochemical processes.

HULLEBUSCH E.D. van ; OTURAN, M.A. (2011): Use of Advanced Oxidation Processes to Improve the Biodegradability of Landfill Leachates. Entradas: Summer School: Biological and Thermal Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste, Napoli: URL [Visita: 08.09.2011]
Material de sensibilización

Photocatalysis for Water Treatment

This document outlines the social and economical relevance of photocatalysis, provides background information on the technology, and highlights further challenges to be addressed.

MULLER, N. ; NOWACK, B. ; OY, S. ; SAARI, J. (2010): Photocatalysis for Water Treatment. Entradas: ObservatoryNANO Briefings: URL [Visita: 21.05.2019]

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