Catalytic wastewater treatment from chemical container cleansing

Abstract

The catalytic wet oxidation method was used for treatment of wastewater from chemical containers contaminated with various highly toxic pollutants. A heterogeneous catalyst containing Cu²⁺ ions on active carbon as an active component was proposed. The influence of the Cu2+ concentration, temperature, and calcination duration on the efficiency of the copper- containing catalyst was studied. The optimal results were obtained from the catalyst heated for 3 h at 573 K upon the impregnation with 6% Cu²⁺. The study of the copper catalyst doped with cerium showed that the optimal content of the promoter was 6%. The copper and cerium catalysts were characterized by thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalyst lifetime and the resistance of cerium to removal were studied. The introduction of cerium increases the activity and life of the catalyst and decreases the concentration of Cu²⁺ ions removed from the surface to 15 mg L^-1. The treatment parameter estimated by a decrease in the chemical oxygen demand increased from 89.7 to 94.8%.