Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Insights into real cotton-textile dyeing wastewater treatment using solar advanced oxidation processes

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) were applied to the treatment of a real cotton-textile dyeing wastewater as a pre-oxidation step to enhance the biodegradability of the recalcitrant compounds, which can be further oxidized using a biological process. Tests were conducted on a lab-scale prototype using artificial solar radiation and at pilot scale with compound parabolic collectors using natural solar radiation. The cotton-textile dyeing wastewater presents a lilac color, with a maximum absorbance peak at 641 nm, alkaline pH (pH = 8.2), moderate organic content (DOC = 152 mg C L−1, COD = 684 mg O2 L−1) and low-moderate biodegradability (40 % after 28 days in Zahn–Wellens test). All the tested processes contributed to an effective decolorization and mineralization, but the most efficient process was the solar-photo-Fenton with an optimum catalyst concentration of 60 mg Fe2+ L−1, leading to 98.5 % decolorization and 85.5 % mineralization after less than 0.1 and 5.8 kJUV L−1, respectively. In order to achieve a final wastewater with a COD below 250 mg O2 L−1 (discharge limit into water bodies imposed by the Portuguese Legislation-Portaria no. 423/97 of 25 June 1997), considering the combination of a solar-photo-Fenton reaction with a biological process, the phototreatment energy required is 0.5 kJUV L−1, consuming 7.5 mM hydrogen peroxide, resulting in 58.4 % of mineralization \( \left({t}_{30\mathrm{W}}=3.2\ \min; \overline{T}=30.7\ {}^{\circ}\mathrm{C};\overline{\mathrm{pH}}=2.80;{\overline{\mathrm{UV}}}_{G,n}={13\ \mathrm{W}\ \mathrm{m}}^{-2}\right). \)

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

Abbreviations

Δt n :

Time period (s)

A CPC :

Compound parabolic collector area (m2)

AOP:

Advanced oxidation process

A r :

Illuminated collector surface area (m2)

BOD5 :

Biochemical oxygen demand (mg O2 L−1)

C A :

Dissolved organic carbon in the sample after 3 h the beginning of the Zahn–Wellens test (in milligram carbon per liter)

C BA :

Dissolved organic carbon in the blank after 3 h the beginning of the Zahn–Wellens test (in milligram carbon per liter)

C B :

Dissolved organic carbon in the blank, measured at the sampling time t, of the Zahn–Wellens test (in milligram carbon per liter)

COD:

Chemical oxygen demand (in milligram oxygen per liter)

COS:

Carbon oxidation state (dimensionless)

CPC:

Compound parabolic collector

C t :

Dissolved organic carbon in the sample, measured at the sampling time t, of the Zahn–Wellens test (in milligram carbon per liter)

DOC:

Dissolved organic carbon (in milligram carbon per liter)

DOC0 :

Initial dissolved organic carbon (in milligram carbon per liter)

D t :

Percentage of biodegradation (in percent)

I :

Average irradiation intensity (in watt per square meter)

k :

Pseudo-first order kinetic constant (in liter per kilojoule)

k H :

Hydrogen peroxide consumption rate (in millimole per kilojoule)

LMCA:

Low-molecular-weight carboxylate anions (in milligram carbon per liter)

QUV :

Accumulated ultraviolet energy (in kilojoule per liter)

\( \overline{ pH} \) :

Average pH (Sorensen scale)

r 0 :

Initial dissolved organic carbon reaction rate (mg kJ−1)

SFM:

Six-flux absorption scattering model

SUNTEST:

Solar radiation simulator

\( \overline{T} \) :

Average temperature (in degrees Celsius)

t 30 W :

Typical solar UV power on a perfectly sunny day around noon (in minute)

t dark :

Dark time (in second)

t i :

Illuminated time (in second)

t n :

Time corresponding to n-water sample (in second)

TSS:

Total suspended solids (in milligram per liter)

\( {\overline{ UV}}_{G\ n} \) :

Average solar ultraviolet radiation intensity (in watt per square meter)

V i :

Illuminated reactor volume (in liter)

VSS:

Volatile suspended solids (in milligram per liter)

V t :

Total reactor volume (in liter)

WWTP:

Wastewater treatment plant

References

  • Ali N, Hameed A, Ahmed S (2009) Physicochemical characterization and bioremediation perspective of textile effluent, dyes and metals by indigenous Bacteria. J Hazard Mater 164:322–328

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amat AM, Arques A, Galindo F, Miranda MA, Santos-Juanes L, Vercher RF, Vicente R (2007) Acridine yellow as solar photocatalyst for enhancing biodegradability and eliminating ferulic acid as model pollutant. Appl Catal Environ 73:220–226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (1988): ISO 6332:1988, Water quality—determination of iron—spectrometric method using 1,10-phenanthroline

  • Arques A, Amat AM, García-Ripoll A, Vicente R (2007) Detoxification and/or increase of the biodegradability of aqueous solutions of dimethoate by means of solar photocatalysis. J Hazard Mater 146:447–452

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aytar P, Gedikli S, Sam M, Farizoğlu B, Çabuk A (2013) Sequential treatment of olive oil mill wastewater with adsorption and biological and photo-Fenton oxidation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20:3060–3067

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balmer ME, Sulzberger B (1999) Atrazine degradation in irradiated iron/oxalate systems: effects of pH and oxalate. Environ Sci Technol 33:2418–2424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco J, Torrades F, De la Varga M, García-Montaño J (2012) Fenton and biological-Fenton coupled processes for textile wastewater treatment and reuse. Desalination 286:394–399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byberg R, Cobb J, Martin LD, Thompson RW, Camesano TA, Zahraa O, Pons MN (2013) Comparison of photocatalytic degradation of dyes in relation to their structure. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20:3570–3581

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clesceri LS, Greenberg AE, Eaton AD (2005): Standard Methods for Examination of Water & Wastewater. American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA) & Water Environment Federation (WEF)

  • Colina-Márquez J, MacHuca-Martínez F, Puma GL (2010) Radiation absorption and optimization of solar photocatalytic reactors for environmental applications. Environ Sci Technol 44:5112–5120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Morais JL, Zamora PP (2005) Use of advanced oxidation processes to improve the biodegradability of mature landfill leachates. J Hazard Mater 123:181–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhir A, Prakash N, Sud D (2012) Coupling of solar-assisted advanced oxidative and biological treatment for degradation of agro-residue-based soda bleaching effluent. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19:3906–3913

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Dein AM, Libra J, Wiesmann U (2006) Cost analysis for the degradation of highly concentrated textile dye wastewater with chemical oxidation H2O2/UV and biological treatment. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 81:1239–1245

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EPA (1996): US Environmental Protection Agency, Prevention Pesticides and Toxic Substances (7101), Fates, Transport and Transformation Test Guidelines OPPTS 835.3200 Zahn–wellens/EMPA Test. EPA, Washington, DC

  • Feng W, Nansheng D, Yuegang Z (1999) Discoloration of dye solutions induced by solar photolysis of ferrioxalate in aqueous solutions. Chemosphere 39:2079–2085

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia JC, Oliveira JL, Silva AEC, Oliveira CC, Nozaki J, de Souza NE (2007) Comparative study of the degradation of real textile effluents by photocatalytic reactions involving UV/TiO2/H2O2 and UV/Fe2+/H2O2 systems. J Hazard Mater 147:105–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karthikeyan S, Titus A, Gnanamani A, Mandal AB, Sekaran G (2011) Treatment of textile wastewater by homogeneous and heterogeneous Fenton oxidation processes. Desalination 281:438–445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kormann C, Bahnemann DW, Hoffmann MR (1991) Photolysis of chloroform and other organic molecules in aqueous TiO2 suspensions. Environ Sci Technol 25:494–500

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Machulek Júnior A, Quina FH, Gozzi F, Silva VO, Moraes JEF (2011) Fundamental Mechanistic Studies of the Photo-Fenton Reaction for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants. In: Puzyn T, Mostrag-Szlichtyng A (eds) Organic Pollutants. InTech, Rijeka, pp 1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Malato Rodrı́guez S, Blanco Gálvez J, Maldonado Rubio MI, Fernández Ibáñez P, Alarcón Padilla D, Collares Pereira M, Farinha Mendes J, Correia de Oliveira J (2004) Engineering of solar photocatalytic collectors. Sol Energy 77:513–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malato S, Blanco J, Alarcón DC, Maldonado MI, Fernández-Ibáñez P, Gernjak W (2007) Photocatalytic decontamination and disinfection of water with solar collectors. Catal Today 122:137–149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malato S, Fernández-Ibáñez P, Maldonado MI, Blanco J, Gernjak W (2009) Decontamination and disinfection of water by solar photocatalysis: recent overview and trends. Catal Today 147:1–59

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Módenes AN, Espinoza-Quiñones FR, Manenti DR, Borba FH, Palácio SM, Colombo A (2012) Performance evaluation of a photo-Fenton process applied to pollutant removal from textile effluents in a batch system. J Environ Manage 104:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nidheesh P, Gandhimathi R, Ramesh S (2013) Degradation of dyes from aqueous solution by Fenton processes: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20:2099–2132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nogueira RFP, Oliveira MC, Paterlini WC (2005) Simple and fast spectrophotometric determination of H2O2 in photo-Fenton reactions using metavanadate. Talanta 66:86–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • OECD (1992): OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals. Test No. 302B: Inherent Biodegradability: Zahn–Wellens/ EMPA. OECD Publishing

  • Oller I, Malato S, Sánchez-Pérez JA (2011) Combination of advanced oxidation processes and biological treatments for wastewater decontamination—a review. Sci Total Environ 409:4141–4166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pekakis PA, Xekoukoulotakis NP, Mantzavinos D (2006) Treatment of textile dyehouse wastewater by TiO2 photocatalysis. Water Res 40:1276–1286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira JHOS, Vilar VJP, Borges MT, González O, Esplugas S, Boaventura RAR (2011) Photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline using TiO2 under natural and simulated solar radiation. Sol Energy 85:2732–2740

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pignatello JJ, Oliveros E, MacKay A (2006) Advanced oxidation processes for organic contaminant destruction based on the Fenton reaction and related chemistry. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 36:1–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prigione V, Tigini V, Pezzella C, Anastasi A, Sannia G, Varese GC (2008) Decolourisation and detoxification of textile effluents by fungal biosorption. Water Res 42:2911–2920

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Renou S, Givaudan JG, Poulain S, Dirassouyan F, Moulin P (2008) Landfill leachate treatment: review and opportunity. J Hazard Mater 150:468–493

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schrank SG, Santos JNR, Souza DS, Souza EES (2007) Decolourisation effects of Vat Green 01 textile dye and textile wastewater using H2O2/UV process. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 186:125–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serra F, Pointon J, Abdou H (2012) Factors influencing the propensity to export: a study of UK and Portuguese textile firms. Int Bus Rev 21:210–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva MRA, Trovó AG, Nogueira RFP (2007) Degradation of the herbicide tebuthiuron using solar photo-Fenton process and ferric citrate complex at circumneutral pH. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 191:187–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Somensi CA, Simionatto EL, Bertoli SL, Wisniewski A Jr, Radetski CM (2010) Use of ozone in a pilot-scale plant for textile wastewater pre-treatment: physico-chemical efficiency, degradation by-products identification and environmental toxicity of treated wastewater. J Hazard Mater 175:235–240

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torrades F, Garcı́a-Montaño J, Antonio Garcı́a-Hortal J, Domènech X, Peral J (2004) Decolorization and mineralization of commercial reactive dyes under solar light assisted photo-Fenton conditions. Sol Energy 77:573–581

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vilar VJP, Gomes AIE, Ramos VM, Maldonado MI, Boaventura RAR (2009) Solar photocatalysis of a recalcitrant coloured effluent from a wastewater treatment plant. Photochem Photobiol Sci 8:691–698

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vilar VJP, Pinho LX, Pintor AMA, Boaventura RAR (2011) Treatment of textile wastewaters by solar-driven advanced oxidation processes. Sol Energy 85:1927–1934

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zapata A, Oller I, Rizzo L, Hilgert S, Maldonado MI, Sánchez-Pérez JA, Malato S (2010) Evaluation of operating parameters involved in solar photo-Fenton treatment of wastewater: Interdependence of initial pollutant concentration, temperature and iron concentration. Appl Catal Environ 97:292–298

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by project PEst-C/EQB/LA0020/2011, financed by FEDER through COMPETE—Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade and by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Petrick A. Soares and Diego R. Manenti acknowledge their Ph.D. fellowships (BEX 5512-10-7 and 9794-11-5) supported by CAPES. Tânia Silva also wants to acknowledge her Ph.D. scholarship, reference SFRH/BD/73510/2010, supported by FCT. Vítor Vilar acknowledges Ciência 2008 Program.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. LSRE—Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering—Associate Laboratory LSRE/LCM, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal

    Petrick A. Soares, Tânia F. C. V. Silva, Diego R. Manenti, Rui A. R. Boaventura & Vítor J. P. Vilar

  2. Departamento de Engenharia Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Selene M. A. G. U. Souza

Authors
  1. Petrick A. Soares
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tânia F. C. V. Silva
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Diego R. Manenti
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Selene M. A. G. U. Souza
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rui A. R. Boaventura
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Vítor J. P. Vilar
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vítor J. P. Vilar.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Bingcai Pan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Soares, P.A., Silva, T.F.C.V., Manenti, D.R. et al. Insights into real cotton-textile dyeing wastewater treatment using solar advanced oxidation processes. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 932–945 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1934-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1934-0

Keywords