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Electro-Fenton decolourisation of dyes in an airlift continuous reactor using iron alginate beads

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Abstract

In this study, electro-Fenton dye degradation was performed in an airlift continuous reactor configuration by harnessing the catalytic activity of Fe alginate gel beads. Electro-Fenton experiments were carried out in an airlift reactor with a working volume of 1.5 L, air flow of 1.5 L/min and 115 g of Fe alginate gel beads. An electric field was applied by two graphite bars connected to a direct current power supply with a constant potential drop. In this study, Lissamine Green B and Reactive Black 5 were selected as model dyes. Fe alginate gel beads can be used as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the degradation of organic dyes in the electro-Fenton process, as they are more efficient than the conventional electrochemical techniques. At optimal working conditions (3 V and pH 2), the continuous process was performed. For both dyes, the degree of decolourisation increases when the residence time augments. Taking into account hydrodynamic and kinetic behaviour, a model to describe the reactor profile was obtained, and the standard deviation between experimental and theoretical data was lower than 6 %. The results indicate the suitability of the electro-Fenton technique to oxidise polluted effluents in the presence of Fe alginate gel beads. Moreover, the operation is possible in a continuous airlift reactor, due to the entrapment of iron in the alginate matrix.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER funds (CTM2011-26423). The authors are thankful to the Ramón y Cajal programme for Marta Pazos’ financial support and to C.A.C.T.I. from Vigo University for providing access to their Electron Microscopy Service.

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Vigo, Isaac Newton Building, Campus As Lagoas, Marcosende, 36310, Vigo, Spain

    O. Iglesias, E. Rosales, M. Pazos & M. A. Sanromán

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  1. O. Iglesias
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  2. E. Rosales
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  3. M. Pazos
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  4. M. A. Sanromán
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Correspondence to M. A. Sanromán.

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Responsible editor: Vinod Kumar Gupta

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Iglesias, O., Rosales, E., Pazos, M. et al. Electro-Fenton decolourisation of dyes in an airlift continuous reactor using iron alginate beads. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 2252–2261 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1100-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1100-0

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