Novel combination of iron-carbon composite and Fenton oxidation processes for high-concentration antibiotic wastewater treatment

The research presented herein explores the development of a novel iron-carbon composite, designed specifically for the improved treatment of high-concentration antibiotic wastewater. Employing a nitrogen-shielded thermal calcination approach, the investigation utilizes a blend of reductive iron powder, activated carbon, bentonite, copper powder, manganese dioxide, and ferric oxide to formulate an efficient iron-carbon composite. The oxygen exclusion process in iron-carbon particles results in distinctive electrochemical cells formation, markedly enhancing wastewater degradation efficiency. Iron-carbon micro-electrolysis not only boosts the biochemical degradability of concentrated antibiotic wastewater but also mitigates acute biological toxicity. In response to the increased Fe2+ levels found in micro-electrolysis wastewater, this research incorporates Fenton oxidation for advanced treatment of the micro-electrolysis byproducts. Through the synergistic application of iron-carbon micro-electrolysis and Fenton oxidation, this research accomplishes a significant decrease in the initial COD levels of high-concentration antibiotic wastewater, reducing them from 90,000 mg/L to about 30,000 mg/L, thus achieving an impressive removal efficiency of 66.9%. This integrated methodology effectively reduces the pollutant load, and the recycling of Fe2+ in the Fenton process additionally contributes to the reduction in both the volume and cost associated with solid waste treatment. This research underscores the considerable potential of the iron-carbon composite material in efficiently managing high-concentration antibiotic wastewater, thereby making a notable contribution to the field of environmental science.