Sheng-Peng Sun

Decolorization of an azo dye Orange G in aqueous solution by Fenton oxidation process: Effect of system parameters and kinetic study

To establish cost-efficient operating conditions for potential application of Fenton oxidation process to treat wastewater containing an azo dye Orange G (OG), some important operating parameters such as pH value of solutions, dosages of H(2)O(2) and Fe(2+), temperature, presence/absence of chloride ion and concentration of the dye, which effect on the decolorization of OG in aqueous solution by Fenton oxidation have been investigated systematically. In addition, the decolorization kinetics of OG was also elucidated based on the experimental data. The results showed that a suitable decolorization condition was selected as initial pH 4.0, H(2)O(2) dosage 1.0 x 10(-2)M and molar ratio of [H(2)O(2)]/[Fe(2+)] 286:1. The decolorization of OG enhanced with the increasing of reaction temperature but decreased as a presence of chloride ion. On the given conditions, for 2.21 x 10(-5) to 1.11 x 10(-4)M of OG, the decolorization efficiencies within 60 min were more than 94.6%. The decolorization kinetics of OG by Fenton oxidation process followed the second-order reaction kinetics, and the apparent activation energy E, was detected to be 34.84 kJ mol(-1). The results can provide fundamental knowledge for the treatment of wastewater containing OG and/or other azo dyes by Fenton oxidation process.

Microwave-assisted preparation, characterization and photocatalytic properties of a dumbbell-shaped ZnO photocatalyst.

A novel dumbbell-shaped ZnO photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by microwave heating in the present study. The prepared ZnO photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis absorption spectrum (UV-Vis). The results indicated that the prepared ZnO photocatalyst shows a united dumbbell shape with 2 microm diameter and 5 microm length. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared dumbbell-shaped ZnO photocatalyst was evaluated by the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) in aqueous solution. The effects of pH, catalyst dosage ([ZnO]) and initial concentration of MB ([MB]) on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of MB were investigated. An optimum condition was determined as pH 7-8, [ZnO]=1.0 g-ZnO L(-1) and [MB]=15 mg-MB L(-1). Under the optimum condition, the decolorization and TOC removal efficiencies of MB at 75 min reaction time were achieved 99.6% and 74.3%, respectively, which were higher than that by the commercial ZnO powder. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation kinetics of MB was also investigated. The results showed that the photocatalytic degradation kinetics of MB fitted the pseudo-first-order kinetics and the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model.

Preparation and photocatalytic property of a novel dumbbell-shaped ZnO microcrystal photocatalyst

A novel dumbbell-shaped ZnO microcrystal photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method in the present study. The prepared ZnO photocatalyst was systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA), photoluminescence spectrum (PL) and UV-vis absorption spectrum (UV-vis). The characterizations of dumbbell-shaped ZnO were also compared with the commercial ZnO. The results show that the prepared ZnO photocatalyst has a unique dumbbell shape and it belongs to the hexagonal wurtzite family. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of the prepared dumbbell-shaped ZnO microcrystal photocatalyst was evaluated by the degradation of three different kinds of dyes wastewater (Crystal Violet, Methyl Violet and Methylene Blue). After 75 min reaction, the decolourization efficiencies of the three kinds of dyes wastewater achieved 68.0%, 99.0% and 98.5%, the TOC removal efficiencies achieved 43.2%, 59.4% and 70.6%, respectively. Compared to commercial ZnO, 16-22% higher TOC removal efficiency was obtained by the dumbbell-shaped ZnO. The results indicated that the prepared dumbbell-shaped ZnO microcrystal photocatalyst showed good photocatalytic activity and it could be considered as a promising photocatalyst for dyes wastewater treatment.

Sequential Aeration of Membrane-Aerated Biofilm Reactors for High-Rate Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal: Experimental Demonstration

One-stage autotrophic nitrogen (N) removal, requiring the simultaneous activity of aerobic and anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB and AnAOB), can be obtained in spatially redox-stratified biofilms. However, previous experience with Membrane-Aerated Biofilm Reactors (MABRs) has revealed a difficulty in reducing the abundance and activity of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB), which drastically lowers process efficiency. Here we show how sequential aeration is an effective strategy to attain autotrophic N removal in MABRs: Two separate MABRs, which displayed limited or no N removal under continuous aeration, could remove more than 5.5 g N/m(2)/day (at loads up to 8 g N/m(2)/day) by controlled variation of sequential aeration regimes. Daily averaged ratios of the surficial loads of O(2) (oxygen) to NH(4)(+) (ammonium) (L(O(2))/L(NH(4))) were close to 1.73 at this optimum. Real-time quantitative PCR based on 16S rRNA gene confirmed that sequential aeration, even at elevated average O(2) loads, stimulated the abundance of AnAOB and AOB and prevented the increase in NOB. Nitrous oxide (N(2)O) emissions were 100-fold lower compared to other anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox)-nitritation systems. Hence, by applying periodic aeration to MABRs, one-stage autotrophic N removal biofilm reactors can be easily obtained, displaying very competitive removal rates, and negligible N(2)O emissions.

Kinetics and mechanism of carbamazepine degradation by a modified Fenton-like reaction with ferric-nitrilotriacetate complexes

This study investigated the kinetics and mechanism of carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation over an initial pH range of 5.0-9.0 by a modified Fenton-like reaction using ferric-nitrilotriacetate (Fe(III)-NTA) complexes. The results indicate that CBZ degradation by Fe(III)-NTA/H2O2 can be described by pseudo first-order kinetics and mainly attributed to hydroxyl radical (OH) attack. Ten intermediates were identified during the degradation process, including hydroxy-CBZs, 10,11-epoxy-CBZ, quinonid CBZ derivatives, dihydroxy-CBZs, and hydroxy-CBZ-10,11-diols. The steady-state concentration of OH, ranging from 3.8 × 10(-16) to 2.1 × 10(-13)M, was strongly dependent on the concentration of Fe(III), the initial pH, and H2O2:Fe(III) and NTA:Fe(III) molar ratios. Optimal conditions of [Fe(III)]=1 × 10(-4)M, [H2O2:Fe(III)]=155:1 and [NTA:Fe(III)]=3:1 were obtained for the degradation of CBZ at neutral pH (7.0) and ambient temperature (25 °C); the corresponding degradation rate constant of CBZ, kapp, was 0.0419 (± 0.002) min(-1). The value of kapp increased with increasing pH from 5.0 to 9.0 due to the strong pH-dependence of Fe(III)-NTA complexes; Fe(III)(NTA)(OH)2(2-) was the most likely active iron species to activate H2O2 to produce OH. The temperature dependence of CBZ degradation by Fe(III)-NTA/H2O2 was characterized by an activation energy of 76.16 kJ mol(-1). A potential mechanism for the formation of OH by Fe(III)-NTA/H2O2 and possible degradation pathways of CBZ are proposed.

Biological Nitrogen Removal from Domestic Wastewater

Nitrogen (N) removal from domestic wastewater is widely performed by nitrification coupled to heterotrophic denitrification. However, the organic carbon (C)-to-N ratio (C/N) in the wastewater is frequently too low to achieve proper N-removal efficiencies and external organic C sources are often necessary to support the process and meet the discharge standards for total N (TN), increasing the process cost. The main cost, however, remains the high energy demand to provide the aeration necessary for nitrification. Alternatives have been developed to reduce the need for organic C source. The anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic process (A 2 /O), simultaneous nitrification/denitrification, shortcut nitrification, or nitrifier bioaugmentation are feasible solutions to upgrade wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The combined and simultaneous use of autotrophic aerobic and anaerobic microbial ammonium 2 O) from N-removal processes. New technologies, such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs), are developed aiming at energy-balanced WWTPs. This article reviews the existing technologies for effective biological N removal, with attention to anaerobic processes.