(641e) Kinetic Modeling of Phenol Oxidation by Fenton's Reagent in Culture Media

Phenols are commonly found in the wastewater effluents of a variety of chemical industries. Higher concentrations of phenols are toxic and resistant to biological degradation. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) can be combined with biological processes to effectively remove higher concentrations of phenols. In this study, chemical oxidation of phenol has been investigated by Fenton's reagent in both pure water and culture media required for the purpose of microbial growth and bioremediation. The oxidation of phenol by Fenton's reagent shows that extent of conversion and the oxidation rate of phenol in the culture media are quite different from that reported for the same reaction in pure water.

Intermediate compounds, catechol, hydroquinone and maleic acid, have been experimentally identified and quantified during phenol oxidation by Fenton's reagent. A kinetic model for phenol degradation that includes the dynamic formation and destruction of these intermediate compounds has been developed. The final oxidized product is carbon dioxide. Experiments were conducted at different initial concentrations of Fenton's reagents in both pure water and culture media. The phenol removal increased from 62% to 100% with the increase in hydrogen peroxide dosage from 1000 mg/L to 5000 mg/L at an initial phenol concentration of 2000 mg/L. The kinetic model developed fits the experimental data reasonably well and is capable of predicting the dynamic concentrations of each intermediate compound. The comparison of kinetic constants in pure water and culture media will be shown.