Multivariate optimization of solar photo-Fenton process for chemical oxygen demand removal in landfill leachate treatment

This research aimed to optimize the solar photo-Fenton process in landfill leachate treatment. Central Composite Rotatable Design associated with the Response Surface Methodology was applied to investigate three operational factors: reagents ratio [H2O2]/[FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O], H2O2 factor and initial pH, in order to maximize the organic matter removal, in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD). According to the results, high COD reduction was obtained in three hours of solar photocatalysis (70.97 to 84.74%). Based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the response variable can be described by a quadratic model, with a high coefficient of determination, R-2=0.9894. The analysis of response surfaces indicated that the optimum conditions were: initial pH range between 2.5 and 3.5, with a peak at 2.79, and reagents ratio range from 6 to the maximum level studied (7.36). Hydrogen peroxide concentration was calculated from the H2O2 factor, reaching the critical point at 143.77% of the stoichiometric amount of H2O2 needed for the complete oxidation of organic matter, that is, 11,751.05 mg H2O2 center dot L-1 to stabilize a COD of 3,845.55 mg O-2 center dot L-1.