Organic pollutants removal from diluted palm oil mill effluent (POME) through Sono–Fenton–nZVI process

Abstract

In this study, an advance Fenton process called sono-Fenton-nZVI process was used to remove organics content from palm oil mill effluent (POME). Factors such as pH, sonication intensity and sonication time were studied in order to see their effects on organic removal efficiency. Sono-Fenton-nZVI process very much dependent on the presence of ferrous ion (Fe2+). At pH 2, nZVI particles oxidized rapidly to produce sufficient Fe2+ which is very crucial in Fenton process. Through sono-Fenton-nZVI process, 80% of the organic content was removed after 24 hour of silent degradation. However, at higher sonication intensity and longer sonication period the process was accelerated. Same removal efficiency was achieved after 2 hours instead of 24 hours of silent degradation. Hence, the application of sono-Fenton-nZVI process seems to be a promising treatment method to remove the organic pollutants from POME.