Skip to main content

Electro-Fenton Applications in the Water Industry

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Electro-Fenton Process

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 61))

Abstract

In this chapter critical discussion is provided on the recent innovations and the potential of the Electro-Fenton (EF) and EF-related processes as eco-engineered technologies in the field of water treatment. Emphasis is placed on the treatment of water and wastewater to eliminate a wide variety of synthetic organic pollutants, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and dyes, the refractory nature of which requires the application of strong oxidants for their total elimination. In comparison to the general public acceptance of traditional and/or advanced water treatment technologies (e.g., activated carbon, membrane technologies, etc.), there is ambiguity or skepticism regarding EF adaptation. This is due to the lack of technology certification, the limited large-scale applications, or even the small number of demonstrations in realistic operational environments. In view of this state of technology, the parameters involved in designing and operating EF systems are discussed together with the appropriate engineering rules that can support optimal system design and operation so that these systems can be used at an efficient, effective, and profitable manner at industrial scale.

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Fenton HJH (1894) Oxidation of tartaric acid in presence of iron. J Chem Soc 65:899–910

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wieland H, Franke W (1927) Mechanism of the oxidation process. XII. The activation of hydrogen peroxide by iron. Justus Liebigs Ann Chem 457:1–70

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Haber F, Willstättter R (1931) Unpaarigheit und radikalketten im reaktion-mechanismus organischer und enzymatischer vorgange. Chem Ber 64:2844–2856

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Brown RF, Jamison SE, Pandit K et al (1964) The reaction of Fenton’s reagent with phenoxyacetic acid and some halogen-substituted phenoxyacetic acids. J Org Chem 29:146–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. 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 

  6. Babuponnusami A, Muthukumar K (2014) A review on Fenton and improvements to the Fenton process for wastewater treatment. J Environ Manage 2:557–572

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Brillas E, Sirés I, Oturan MA (2009) Electro-Fenton process and related electrochemical technologies based on Fenton’s reaction chemistry. Chem Rev 109:6570–6631

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang N, Zheng T, Zhang G et al (2016) A review on Fenton-like processes for organic wastewater treatment. J Environ Chem Eng 4:762–787

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Martínez-Huitle CA, Rodrigo MA, Sirés I et al (2015) Single and coupled electrochemical processes and reactors for the abatement of organic water pollutants: a critical review. Chem Rev 115(24):13362–13407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Ganiyu SO, van Hullebusch ED, Cretin M et al (2015) Coupling of membrane filtration and advanced oxidation processes for removal of pharmaceutical residues: a critical review. Sep Purif Technol 156:891–914

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ganzenko O, Huguenot D, van Hullebusch ED et al (2014) Electrochemical advanced oxidation and biological processes for wastewater treatment: a review of the combined approaches. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:8493–8524

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sirés I, Brillas E, Oturan MA et al (2014) Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes: today and tomorrow. A review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:8336–8367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Bañuelos JA, Rodríguez FJ, Manríquez J et al (2014) A review on arrangement and reactors for Fenton-based water treatment processes. In: Peralta-Hernández JM, Rodrigo MA, Martínez-Huitle CA (eds) Evaluation of electrochemical reactors as a new way to environmental protection, Kerala, India, pp 97–137

    Google Scholar 

  14. Brillas E (2014) Electro-Fenton, UVA photoelectro-Fenton and solar photoelectro-Fenton treatments of organics in waters using a boron-doped diamond anode: a review. J Mex Chem Soc 58(3):239–255

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Feng L, van Hullebusch ED, Rodrigo MA et al (2013) Removal of residual anti-inflammatory and analgesic pharmaceuticals from aqueous systems by electrochemical advanced oxidation processes. A review. Chem Eng J 228:944–964

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Nidheesh PN, Gandhimathi R (2012) Trends in electro-Fenton process for water and wastewater treatment: an overview. Desalination 299:1–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Martínez-Huitle CA, Brillas E (2009) Decontamination of wastewaters containing synthetic organic dyes by electrochemical methods: a general review. Appl Catal Environ 87:105–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. García O, Isarain-Chávez E, El-Ghenymy A et al (2014) Degradation of 2,4-D herbicide in a recirculation flow plant with a Pt/air-diffusion and a BDD/BDD cell by electrochemical oxidation and electro-Fenton process. J Electroanal Chem 728:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. García O, Isarain-Chávez E, Garcia-Segura S et al (2013) Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by electro-oxidation and electro-Fenton/BDD processes using a pre-pilot plant. Electrocatalysis 4:224–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Chmayssem A, Taha S, Hauchard D (2017) Scaled-up electrochemical reactor with a fixed bed three-dimensional cathode for electro-Fenton process: application to the treatment of bisphenol A. Electrochim Acta 225:435–442

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. El-Ghenymy A, Cabot PL, Centellas F et al (2013) Mineralization of sulfanilamide byelectro-Fenton and solar photoelectro-Fenton in a pre-pilot plant with a Pt/air-diffusion cell. Chemosphere 91:1324–1331

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Khataee AR, Safarpour M, Zarei M et al (2012) Combined heterogeneous and homogeneous photodegradation of a dye using immobilized TiO2 nanophotocatalyst and modified graphite electrode with carbon nanotubes. J Mol Catal A Chem 363–364:58–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Liu H, Vecitis CD (2012) Reactive transport mechanism for organic oxidation during electrochemical filtration: mass-transfer, physical adsorption, and electron transfer. J Phys Chem C 116:374–383

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Plakas KV, Karabelas AJ, Sklari SD et al (2013) Toward the development of a novel electro-Fenton system for eliminating toxic organic substances from water. Part 1. In situ generation of hydrogen peroxide. Ind Eng Chem Res 52:13948–13956

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Sklari SD, Plakas KV, Petsi PN et al (2015) Toward the development of a novel electro-Fenton system for eliminating toxic organic substances from water. Part 2. Preparation characterization, and evaluation of iron-impregnated carbon felts as cathodic electrodes. Ind Eng Chem Res 54:2059–2073

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Plakas KV, Sklari SD, Yiankakis DA et al (2016) Removal of organic micropollutants from drinking water by a novel electro-Fenton filter: pilot-scale studies. Water Res 91:183–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Ma L, Zhou M, Ren G et al (2016) A highly energy-efficient flow-through electro-Fenton process for organic pollutants degradation. Electrochim Acta 200:222–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Xu A, Han W, Li J (2016) Electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide using Ti/IrO2–Ta2O5 anode in dual tubular membranes electro-Fenton reactor for the degradation of tricyclazole without aeration. Chem Eng J 295:152–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lan H, Li J, Sun M et al (2016) Efficient conversion of dimethylarsinate into arsenic and its simultaneous adsorption removal over FeCx/N-doped carbon fiber composite in an electro-Fenton process. Water Res 100:57–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Xu N, Zhang Y, Tao H et al (2013) Bio-electro-Fenton system for enhanced estrogens degradation. Bioresour Technol 138:136–140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Kishimoto N, Hatta M, Kato M et al (2017) Effects of oxidation–reduction potential control and sequential use of biological treatment on the electrochemical Fenton-type process. Process Saf Environ 105:134–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Polcaro AM, Vacca A, Mascia M et al (2007) Characterization of a stirred tank electrochemical cell for water disinfection processes. Electrochim Acta 52:2595–2602

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Cotillas S, Llanos J, Rodrigo MA et al (2015) Use of carbon felt cathodes for the electrochemical reclamation of urban treated wastewaters. Appl Catal B Environ 162:252–259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Mansour D, Fourcade F, Soutrel I et al (2015) Mineralization of synthetic and industrial pharmaceutical effluent containing trimethoprim by combining electro-Fenton and activated sludge treatment. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 53:58–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Kamali M, Khodaparast Z (2015) Review on recent developments on pulp and paper mill wastewater treatment. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 114:326–342

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Jaafarzadeh N, Ghanbari F, Ahmadi M et al (2017) Efficient integrated processes for pulp and paper wastewater treatment and phytotoxicity reduction: permanganate, electro-Fenton and Co3O4/UV/peroxymonosulfate. Chem Eng J 308:142–150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Eren Z (2012) Ultrasound as a basic and auxiliary process for dye remediation: a review. J Environ Manage 104:127–141

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Asghar A, Abdul Raman AA, Ashri Wan Daud WM (2015) Advanced oxidation processes for in-situ production of hydrogen peroxide/hydroxyl radical for textile wastewater treatment: a review. J Clean Prod 87:826–838

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Garcia-Segura S, Brillas E (2016) Combustion of textile monoazo, diazo and triazo dyes by solar photoelectro-Fenton: decolorization, kinetics and degradation routes. Appl Catal B Environ 181:681–691

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Ren G, Zhou M, Liu M et al (2016) A novel vertical-flow electro-Fenton reactor for organic wastewater treatment. Chem Eng J 298:55–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Rosales E, Pazos M, Longo MA et al (2009) Electro-Fenton decoloration of dyes in a continuous reactor: a promising technology in colored wastewater treatment. Chem Eng J 155(1–2):62–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. El-Desoky HS, Ghoneim MM, El-Sheikh R et al (2010) Oxidation of Levafix CA reactive azo-dyes in industrial wastewater of textile dyeing by electrogenerated Fenton’s reagent. J Hazard Mater 175:858–865

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Wang CT, Chou WL, Chung MH et al (2010) COD removal from real dyeing wastewater by electro-Fenton technology using an activated carbon fiber cathode. Desalination 253:129–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Feng C, Li F, Liu H et al (2010) A dual-chamber microbial fuel cell with conductive film-modified anode and cathode and its application for the neutral electro-Fenton process. Electrochim Acta 55:2048–2054

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Wang X-Q, Liu C-P, Yuan Y et al (2014) Arsenite oxidation and removal driven by a bio-electro-Fenton process under neutral pH conditions. J Hazard Mater 275:200–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Khoufi S, Aloui F, Sayadi S (2006) Treatment of olive oil mill wastewater by combined process electro-Fenton reaction and anaerobic digestion. Water Res 40:2007–2016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Flores N, Cabot PL, Centellas F, Garrido JA, Rodríguez RM, Brillas E, Sirés I (2017) 4-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid oxidation in sulfate and real olive oil mill wastewater by electrochemical advanced processes with a boron-doped diamond anode. J Hazard Mater 321:566–575

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Díez AM, Rosales E, Sanromán MA et al (2017) Assessment of LED-assisted electro-Fenton reactor for the treatment of winery wastewater. Chem Eng J 310:399–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Zhang H, Ran X, Wu X (2012) Electro-Fenton treatment of mature landfill leachate in a continuous flow reactor. J Hazard Mater 241–242:259–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Lin SH, Chang CC (2000) Treatment of landfill leachate by combined electro-Fenton oxidation and sequencing batch reactor method. Water Res 34:4243–4249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Zhang H, Zhang DB, Zhou JY (2006) Removal of COD from landfill leachate by electro-Fenton method. J Hazard Mater 135:106–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Atmaca E (2009) Treatment of landfill leachate by using electro-Fenton method. J Hazard Mater 163:109–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Mohajeri S, Aziz HA, Isa MH et al (2010) Statistical optimization of process parameters for landfill leachate treatment using electro-Fenton technique. J Hazard Mater 176:749–758

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Orkun MO, Kuleyin A (2012) Treatment performance evaluation of chemical oxygen demand from landfill leachate by electro-coagulation and electro-Fenton technique. Environ Prog Sustain Energy 31:59–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Zhang H, Cheng ZH, Zhang DB (2007) Treatment of landfill leachate by electro-Fenton process. Fresen Environ Bull 16:1216–1219

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Aziz HA, Othman OM, Abu Amr SS (2013) The performance of electro-Fenton oxidation in the removal of coliform bacteria from landfill leachate. Waste Manag 33:396–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Colades JI, de Luna MDG, Su C-C et al (2015) Treatment of thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) wastewater by the electro-Fenton process. Sep Purif Technol 145:104–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Cho SH, Lee HJ, Moon SH (2008) Integrated electroenzymatic and electrochemical treatment of petrochemical wastewater using a pilot scale membraneless system. Process Biochem 43:1371–1376

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Jia S, Han H, Hou B et al (2015) Advanced treatment of biologically pretreated coal gasification wastewater by a novel integration of three-dimensional catalytic electro-Fenton and membrane bioreactor. Bioresour Technol 198:918–921

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Zhou M, Tan Q, Wang Q et al (2012) Degradation of organics in reverse osmosis concentrate by electro-Fenton process. J Hazard Mater 215–216:287–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Akyol A, Can OT, Demirbas E (2013) A comparative study of electrocoagulation and electro-Fenton for treatment of wastewater from liquid organic fertilizer plant. Sep Purif Technol 112:11–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Kurt U, Apaydin O, Gonullu MT (2007) Reduction of COD in wastewater from an organized tannery industrial region by electro-Fenton process. J Hazard Mater 143:33–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Paramo-Vargas J, Camargo AME, Gutierrez-Granados S et al (2015) Applying electro-Fenton process as an alternative to a slaughterhouse effluent treatment. J Electroanal Chem 754:80–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Un UT, Topal S, Oduncu E et al (2015) Treatment of tissue paper wastewater: application of electro-Fenton method. Int J Environ Sci Develop 6(6):415–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Gameel A, Malash G, Mubarak AA et al (2015) Treatment of spent caustic from ethylene plant using electro-Fenton technique. Am J Environ Eng Sci 2(4):37–46

    Google Scholar 

  66. Huguenot D, Mousset E, van Hullebusch ED (2015) Combination of surfactant enhanced soil washing and electro-Fenton process for the treatment of soils contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. J Environ Manage 153:40–47

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Fang G-D, Zhou D-M, Dionysiou DD (2013) Superoxide mediated production of hydroxyl radicals by magnetite nanoparticles: demonstration in the degradation of 2-chlorobiphenyl. J Hazard Mater 250–251:68–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Bossmann SH, Oliveros E, Gob S et al (1998) New evidence against hydroxyl radicals as reactive intermediates in the thermal and photochemically enhanced Fenton reaction. J Phys Chem 102:5542–5550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Szpyrkowicz L, Juzzolino C, Kaul SN (2001) A comparative study on oxidation of disperse dye by electrochemical process, ozone, hypochlorite and Fenton reagent. Water Res 35:2129–2136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Xu XR, Li XY, Li XZ et al (2009) Degradation of melatonin by UV, UV/H2O2, Fe2+/H2O2 and UV/Fe2+/H2O2 processes. Sep Purif Technol 68:261–266

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Benitez FJ, Acero JL, Real FJ et al (2001) The role of hydroxyl radicals for the decomposition of p-hydroxy phenylacetic acid in aqueous solutions. Water Res 35:1338–1343

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Pignatello JJ (1992) Dark and photoassisted Fe3+-catalyzed degradation of chlorophenoxy herbicides by hydrogen peroxide. Environ Sci Technol 26:944–951

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Wang C, Hua Y, Tong Y (2010) A novel electro-Fenton-like system using PW11O39Fe3+(H2O)4− as an electrocatalyst for wastewater treatment. Electrochim Acta 55(22):6755–6760

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Scialdone O, Galia A, Gattuso A et al (2015) Effect of air pressure on the electro-generation of H2O2 and the abatement of organic pollutants in water by electro-Fenton process. Electrochim Acta 182:775–780

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Liu H (2007) A novel electro-Fenton process for water treatment: reaction-controlled pH adjustment and performance assessment. Environ Sci Technol 41:2937–2942

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Yu F, Zhou M, Yu X (2015) Cost-effective electro-Fenton using modified graphite felt that dramatically enhanced on H2O2 electro-generation without external aeration. Electrochim Acta 163:182–189

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Yu R-F, Lin C-H, Chen H-W et al (2013) Possible control approaches of the electro-Fenton process for textile wastewater treatment using on-line monitoring of DO and ORP. Chem Eng J 218:341–349

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Xu HY, Liu WC, Qi SY et al (2014) Kinetics and optimization of the decoloration of dyeing wastewater by a schorl-catalyzed Fenton-like reaction. J Serb Chem Soc 79:361–377

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Ifelebuegu AO, Ezenwa CP (2011) Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals in wastewater treatment by Fenton-like oxidation. Water Air Soil Pollut 217:213–220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Bautista P, Mohedano AF, Casas JA et al (2008) An overview of the application of Fenton oxidation to industrial wastewaters treatment. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 83:1323–1338

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Konstantinos V. Plakas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Plakas, K.V., Karabelas, A.J. (2017). Electro-Fenton Applications in the Water Industry. In: Zhou, M., Oturan, M., Sirés, I. (eds) Electro-Fenton Process. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 61. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2017_52

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics