The photo-Fenton reaction — an effective photochemical wastewater treatment process

A novel photochemical degradation method for organic contaminants, the photo-Fenton reaction, has been investigated. Irradiation of an aqueous solution of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) with light of greater than 320 nm in the presence of H2O2 and Fe2+ accelerates the degradation rate of 4-CP and total organic carbon (TOC) significantly compared with the Fe2+H2O2 reaction in the dark. The effects of the initial 4-CP and H2O2 concentrations and the intensity of light irradiation on the degradation rates of TOC and H2O2 and the ratio of Fe2+ to Fe3+ are described. Results are compared with the dark Fenton reaction.