Anaerobic Digestion of Sugarcane Vinasse Through a Methanogenic UASB Reactor Followed by a Packed Bed Reactor

The anaerobic treatment of raw vinasse in a combined system consisting in two methanogenic reactors, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) + anaerobic packed bed reactors (APBR), was evaluated. The organic loading rate (OLR) was varied, and the best condition for the combined system was 12.5 kg COD m^?3day^?1 with averages of 0.289 m³ CH₄ kg COD r^?1for the UASB reactor and 4.4 kg COD m^?3day^?1 with 0.207 m³ CH₄ kg COD r^?1 for APBR. The OLR played a major role in the emission of H₂S conducting to relatively stable quality of biogas emitted from the APBR, with H₂S concentrations <10 mg L^?1. The importance of the sulphate to COD ratio was demonstrated as a result of the low biogas quality recorded at the lowest ratio. It was possible to develop a proper anaerobic digestion of raw vinasse through the combined system with COD removal efficiency of 86.7% and higher CH₄ and a lower H₂S content in biogas.     

The Relationships Between Sulphate Reduction and COD/VFA Utilisation Using Grass Cellulose as Carbon and Energy Sources

The release of mine effluents can have a damaging impact on receiving water bodies. Therefore, treatment of mine waters before discharge is imperative. A novel biological SO₄^{2 -} {\hbox{SO}}_4^{2 - } removal technology has been developed whereby the degradation/fermentation products of grass cellulose, volatile fatty acids (VFA), function as the electron donors and SO₄^{2 -} {\hbox{SO}}_4^{2 - } as the electron acceptor. The aim of the study presented here was to elucidate the interactions between the cellulose degradation rate, the chemical oxygen demand (COD), VFA production and its/utilisation rate as well as the sulphate reduction rate. To this end, two stirred batch reactors were operated: a test and a control reactor. The results showed that high COD and VFA concentrations were achieved after cellulose degradation, which resulted in a rapid decrease in the SO₄^{2 -} {\hbox{SO}}_4^{2 - } concentration in the test reactor. The VFA results indicated that propionic and butyric acids were preferentially utilised, producing acetate. In the control reactor, the VFA and the COD production increased initially at the same rate, followed later by a decrease at a similar rate. These results suggest that the degradation products formed were utilised by the methanogenic bacteria to produce methane rather than by the sulphate-reducing bacteria, since the control reactor contained no sulphate (Visser 1995). Furthermore, these results showed a clear relationship between the COD/VFA production and the SO₄^{2 -} {\hbox{SO}}_4^{2 - } reduction in the test reactor and between the COD and VFA pattern in the control reactor.     

Degradation of organic pollutants by visible light synergistic electro-Fenton oxidation process

Visible light irradiation combined with homogeneous iron and/or hydrogen peroxide to degrade organic dye rhodamine B (RhB) and small molecular compound 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in a home-made bottle reactor was assessed. The concen-tration of oxidize species, Fe3+ and Fe2+ were determined during the degradation process. The results demonstrated that visible light irradiation combined with electro-Fenton improved the degradation efficiency. Moreover, both RhB and 2,4-DCP were mineralized during visible light synergistic electro-Fenton oxidation process. 95.0% TOC (total organic carbon) removal rate of RhB occurred after 90 min and 96.7% of COD (chemical oxygen demand) removal rate after 65 min of irradiation. 91.3% TOC removal rate of 2,4-DCP occurred after 16 h of irradiation and 99.9% COD removal rate occurred after 12 h of illumination. The degradation and oxidation process was dominated by the hydroxyl radical ( · OH) generated in the system. Both the impressed electricity and dye sensitization by visible light facilitated the conversion between Fe3+ and Fe 2+ , thus, improving Fenton reaction efficiency.     

High-yield preparation of rod-like CaSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Fe<Superscript>0</Superscript> magnetic composite for effective removal of Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in wastewater

In this study, a simple approach was described for the fabrication of CaSO₄/Fe⁰ composite used as a novel adsorbent for the reductive removal of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions. The magnetic CaSO₄/Fe⁰ composite was prepared by a solid state reaction at 550 °C in the H₂ atmosphere using CaSO₄·2H₂O/α-FeOOH as a precursor. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized magnetic composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and a superconducting quantum interference device, respectively. Results showed that the CaSO₄/Fe⁰ composite with a rod-like shape could be easily acquired from the CaSO₄·2H₂O/α-FeOOH precursor with the ratio of 1:0.5 at 550 °C in the H₂ atmosphere for 1 h. The CaSO₄/Fe⁰ composite exhibited enhanced performance relevant to the reductive removal of Cu²⁺. The removal amount of Cu²⁺ increased linearly with increasing of concentration of Cu²⁺ in wastewater. Possible removal mechanisms were proposed as follows: (1) the formation of Cu₂O by fast reduction of Cu²⁺ with Fe⁰ nanoparticles on interface of CaSO₄/Fe⁰ composite, (2) proper adsorption of Cu²⁺ on the surface of CaSO₄/Fe⁰ composite, (3) the hydrous iron oxide (HIO) such as Fe (OH)₃ and FeOOH in situ generated on the rest of CaSO₄/Fe⁰ composite could further adsorb Cu²⁺ from wastewater.     

Reduction Dehydration of Iron Oxide Hydroxide by iron metal in aqueous medium

The reductive dehydration of iron hydroxide (FeOOH) by iron metal in aqueous solutions of ferrous sulphate was found to occur. These reactions of α, β, γ FeOOH and Fe(OH)₃ · nH₂O respectively were carried out in 0.01–1 mol iron(II) sulphate solutions and over the temperature range of 80–100°C to produce Fe₃O₄ in all cases. The reaction rate decreases with increasing Fe²⁺ concentration and depends on the total concentration of sulphate anion. The presence of iron(II) chloride has an inhibiting effect.     

Fe2+ and Cu2+ Increase the Production of Hyaluronic Acid by Lactobacilli via Affecting Different Stages of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway

This study aimed at optimizing the production of hyaluronic acid by Lactobacillus acidophilus FTDC 1231 using response surface methodology and evaluating the effects of divalent metal ions along the production pathway using molecular docking. Among different divalent metal ions that were screened, only iron (II) sulphate and copper (II) sulphate significantly (P?<?0.05) affected the production of hyaluronic acid. Subsequent optimization yielded hyaluronic acid at concentration of 0.6152?mg/mL in the presence of 1.24 mol L^?1 iron (II) sulphate and 0.16 mol L^?1 of copper (II) sulphate (103 % increase compared to absence of divalent metal ions). Data from molecular docking showed Fe²⁺ improved the binding affinity of UDP-pyrophophorylase towards glucose-1-phosphate, while Cu²⁺ contributed towards the interaction between UDP-glucose dehydrogenase and UDP-glucose. We have demonstrated that lactobacilli could produce hyaluronic acid at increased concentration upon facilitation by specific divalent metal ions, via specific targets of enzymes and substrates along pentose phosphate pathway.     

Effect of zero-valent iron on biological denitrification in the autotrophic denitrification system

This study investigated nitrate removal using biological denitrification by the iron-reducing bacteria strain CC76 combined with zero-valent iron (ZVI) in simulated groundwater under anaerobic conditions. The mechanism of nitrate reduction as well as the process of iron cycling by strain CC76 and ZVI were studied. During growth experiments, the strain CC76 showed the ability to utilize Fe²⁺ (electron donor) produced from the stimulated corrosion of ZVI for the nitrate removal. ZVI exerted inhibitive effects on the growth of strain CC76 in the early stage. However, the strain CC76 was able to tolerate the presence of ZVI in the long term. Moreover, three factors (temperature, initial pH, and ZVI concentration) were selected as effective factors and were optimized using a central composite design of response surface methodology. Based on the statistical analysis, a temperature of 30.44 °C, initial pH of 6.11, and ZVI concentration of 5.89 g/L were determined to be the optimum values. The effect of Fe²⁺/ZVI ratio was also explored and compared with ZVI alone, a certain amount of a mixture of Fe²⁺ and ZVI showed a higher nitrate removal ability. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses showed the corrosion of ZVI occurred after reaction in the autotrophic denitrification system.     

AnSBBR Applied to Organic Matter and Sulfate Removal: Interaction Effect Between Feed Strategy and Cod/Sulfate Ratio

A mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing anaerobic biomass immobilized on polyurethane foam cubes, treating low-strength synthetic wastewater (500 mg COD L^?1), was operated under different operational conditions to assess the removal of organic matter and sulfate. These conditions were related to fill time, defined by the following feed strategies: batch mode of 10 min, fed-batch mode of 3 h and fed-batch mode of 6 h, and COD/[SO₄ ^2?] ratios of 1.34, 0.67, and 0.34 defined by organic matter concentration of 500 mg COD L^?1 and sulfate concentrations of 373, 746, and 1,493 mg SO₄ ^2? L^?1 in the influent. Thus, nine assays were performed to investigate the influence of each of these parameters, as well as the interaction effect, on the performance of the system. The reactor operated with agitation of 400 rpm, total volume of 4.0 L, and treated 2.0 L synthetic wastewater in 8-h cycles at 30?±?1°C. During all assays, the reactor showed operational stability in relation to the monitored variables such as COD, sulfate, sulfide, sulfite, volatile acids, bicarbonate alkalinity, and solids, thus demonstrating the potential to apply this technology to the combined removal of organic matter and sulfate. In general, the results showed that the 3-h fed-batch operation with a COD/[SO₄ ^2?] ratio of 0.34 presented the best conditions for organic matter removal (89%). The best efficiency for sulfate removal (71%) was accomplished during the assay with a COD/[SO₄ ^2?] ratio of 1.34 and a fill time of 6 h. It was also observed that as fill time and sulfate concentration in the influent increased, the ratio between removed sulfate load and removed organic load also increased. However, it should be pointed out that the aim of this study was not to optimize the removal of organic matter and sulfate, but rather to analyze the behavior of the reactor during the different feed strategies and applied COD/[SO₄ ^2?] ratios, and mainly to analyze the interaction effect, an aspect that has not yet been explored in the literature for batch reactors.     

Effect of the structural change of an iron–iron oxide mixture on the decomposition of trichloroethylene

The effect of the structure of a mixture of industrially produced iron and iron oxide on the decomposition of trichloroethylene (TCE) was investigated by gas chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy. The concentration of 10 mg L^?1 TCE aqueous solution decreased to 0.41, 0.52, 0.26, and 0.09 mg L^?1 when stirred for 7 days with iron–iron oxide mixtures having mass ratios of 2:8, 3:7, 4:6, and 5:5, respectively. The Mössbauer spectra of the mixtures after leaching were composed of two sextets with respective isomer shifts (δ) and internal magnetic fields (H) of 0.29_±0.01 mm s^?1 and 48.8_±0.1 T, and 0.64_±0.01 mm s^?1 and 45.5_±0.1 T, attributed to the Fe³⁺ species in tetrahedral (T _d) and the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ mixed species (Fe^2.5+) in octahedral (O _h) sites, respectively. Mössbauer spectra of a 3:7 mass ratio iron–iron oxide mixture showed a gradual decrease in the absorption area (A) of zero valent iron (Fe⁰) from 40.6. to 12.6, 13.2, 3.8 2.8, and 1.0_±0.5 % and an increase in A of Fe₃O₄ from 31.8 to 59.4, 71.4, 93.2, 95.6, and 98.0_±0.5 % after leaching with 10 mg L^?1 TCE aqueous solution for 1, 2, 3, 7, and 10 days, respectively. Consistent values of the first-order rate constant were calculated as 0.32 day^?1 for Fe⁰ oxidation, 0.34 day^?1 for Fe₃O₄ production, and 0.30 day^?1 for TCE decomposition, which indicates that the oxidation of Fe⁰ was the rate-controlling factor for Fe₃O₄ production and TCE decomposition. It is concluded from the experimental results that an iron–iron oxide mixture is very effective for the decomposition of TCE.     

Study of formation and thermal stability of the Fe/ZnO(000‐1) interface

Formation and thermal stability of the Fe/ZnO(000‐1) interface have been studied by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. The results indicated a pseudo 2D growth mode for iron on ZnO. In addition, it could be shown that under ultra high vacuum conditions deposited Fe⁰ on a ZnO(000‐1) single crystal was partially oxidized by a small fraction of residual ? OH‐groups and ZnO to FeO. A strong temperature dependence of the interface reactivity was found upon annealing at temperatures up to 600 °C. Starting from 200 °C iron was first oxidized to bivalent iron oxide. After complete oxidation of Fe⁰ to Fe²⁺ at 375 °C, Fe²⁺ reacted to Fe³⁺. Above temperatures of 500 °C the deposited metallic iron was completely oxidized to trivalent iron. Further experiments with FeO on ZnO showed the oxidation state and the oxide film thickness of the deposited iron to be mainly dependent on the annealing temperature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heterogeneous Fenton reactants: a study of the behavior of iron oxide nanoparticles obtained by the polymeric precursor method

Nanoparticles composed of iron oxides and iron salts were obtained from polymeric resins produced by polymerizing Fe²⁺-citrate and Fe³⁺-citrate complexes with ethylene glycol. The citric acid:Fe molar ratio was varied to obtain different synthesis conditions. The materials were treated at 450 °C for 2 h to obtain nanoparticles, which were characterized by XRD, Mössbauer spectroscopy, FEG, CHNS, atomic absorption and surface area through N₂ physisorption. Rhodamine B photo degradation in the presence of these nanoparticles and hydrogen peroxide was carried out to analyze the possible behavior of nanoparticles as heterogeneous Fenton reactants. UV–visible spectroscopy revealed that the catalytic activity in the presence of nanoparticles obtained with a citric acid:Fe molar ratio of 12:1 was the condition that provided the best results in this work.     

The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition hydrated iron sulphate

The thermal decomposition of iron sulphate hexahydrate was studied by thermogravimetry at a heating rate of 5°C min^?1 in static air. The kinetic parameters were evaluated using the integral method by applying the Coats and Redfern approximation. The thermal stabilities of the hydrates were found to vary in the order. Fe₂(SO₄)₃·6H₂O → Fe₂(SO₄)₃·4.5H₂O → Fe₂(SO₄)₃·0.5H₂O The dehydration process of hydrated iron sulphate was found to conform to random nucleation mass loss kinetics, and the activation energies of the respective hydrates were 89.82, 105.04 and 172.62 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The decomposition process of anhydrous iron sulphate occurs in the temperature region between 810 and 960 K with activation energies 526.52 kJ mol^?1 for the D3 model or 256.05 kJ mol^?1 for the R3 model.     

Analysis on the removal of ammonia nitrogen using peroxymonosulfate activated by nanoparticulate zero-valent iron

Nanoparticulate zero-valent iron (Fe⁰) was used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to remove low concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the aqueous system. The removal process was investigated under various conditions. It was indicated that the removal of \({\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }\) followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model for the initial reactions. The removal rate increased with the ascending of pH and Fe⁰ dosage, while declined with the ascent of initial \({\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }\) concentration. The existence of nitrogenous compounds would inhibit the reactions, especially for the compounds with carboxyl structure functional groups. The identification of free radical proved that \(\cdot {\text{SO}}_{4}^{ - }\) is the main radical in Fe⁰/PMS for the removal of ammonia nitrogen. The inorganic products including \({\text{NO}}_{2}^{ - }\), \({\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\), Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were detected with the detailed mechanism proposed. The results demonstrated that Fe⁰/PMS process was more effective on ammonia removal compared to single Fe⁰, Fe⁰/persulfate and Fe⁰/H₂O₂. This study proposed a cost-effective process for \({\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }\) removal at very low concentration of sulfate radicals.     

An old story with new insight into the structural transformation and radical production of micron-scale zero-valent iron on successive reactivities

It is generally recognized that the formation and accumulation of iron oxides on the surface of zero-valent iron (Fe⁰) resulting in significant decrease of contaminant degradation rates during the long-term reactions. However, in this study, we found that the removal efficiencies of p-nitrophenol (PNP) by micro zero-valent iron (mFe⁰) could maintain at the satisfactory level in the process of continuous reactions (20 cycles). The removal rate constant (0.1779 min⁻¹) of the 5^th cycle was 6.74 times higher than that of the 1^st reaction (0.0264 min⁻¹), even the 20^th cycle (0.0371 min⁻¹) was higher than that of the 1^st reaction. Interestingly, almost no dissolved iron was detected in the solution, and the total iron concentrations decreased dramatically with the process of continuous reactions. The results of scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the structure and composition of corrosion products change from amorphous to highly crystal with the increase of the number of cycles. The corrosion products were mainly magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and a small part of maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), which were in the form of microspheres on the surface of mFe⁰. The formation of surface oxidation shell hindered the release of Fe²⁺. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results illustrated that partial Fe₃O₄ could be converted into γ-Fe₂O₃. Electrochemical analysis proved that the electron transfer rate of mFe⁰ increased with the formation of the oxides shell. However, the consumption of iron core and thicker oxide film weakened the electron transfer rate. Besides, the quenching experiments indicated that the reaction activity of mFe⁰ could be enhanced with the addition of scavengers. This study deepened the understanding of the structural transformation and radical production of mFe⁰ in continuous reactions.     

Evaluation of phosphate removal capacity of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>–ZVINPs from aqueous solution: optimization using response surface analysis

The present research aims to optimize the removal of phosphate (PO₄ ^3?) from aqueous solution by Fe₃O₄ stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄–ZVINPs). A three-factor, three-level, Box–Behnken design combined with response surface methodology was applied to design the experiments, to develop a mathematical model, and for evaluating the individual and also the interactive effects of the operating variables like pH, temperature, and PO₄ ^3? concentration on removal efficiency. The analysis of variance has been used to evaluate the adequacy of the developed mathematical model in order to predict the optimal conditions of independent process variables, and to get maximum removal efficiency. Three-dimensional response surface plots were constructed to visualize the simultaneous interactive effects between two process variables. All three factors had a significant impact on removal of PO₄ ^3?. The predicted value of the model (166.0 mg g^?1PO₄ ^3?) was in good agreement with the experimental value (164.92 mg g^?1 PO₄ ^3?) under the optimum conditions of temperature 49.2 °C; pH 3.5; and PO₄ ^3? concentration 79.8 mg L^?1. The removal of PO₄ ^3? in the presence of environmental matrix (other ions) was also investigated at optimum conditions as predicted by the model. The results suggest that the presence of these ions had no significant effect on PO₄ ^3? removal. In addition, the adsorbed PO₄ ^3? can be effectively desorbed at higher pH of the solution. The findings suggest that removal of PO₄ ^3? from aqueous solution using Fe₃O₄–ZVINPs can be an effective method.     

Application of nano-scale zero-valent iron adsorbed on magnetite nanoparticles for removal of carbon tetrachloride: Products and degradation pathway

Nano-scale zero-valent iron (nZVI) attached to Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe⁰@Fe₃O₄), which has better dispersibility and a larger specific surface area than the nanoparticles alone, were prepared and applied to the reductive dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride (CT). CT removal efficiencies by Fe⁰@Fe₃O₄ composites with different ratios of the two components were compared. Under optimum conditions, when the Fe⁰/Fe₃O₄ ratio was 1:2, almost no CT was detected after 50 min and it took only about 30 min to reach a removal efficiency of 90%, compared with 120 min for an Fe⁰/Fe₃O₄ ratio of 1:4. An increase in the amount of nZVI in the catalyst effectively improved the removal of CT and accelerated the reaction rate. Chloroform was the main product. Compared with Fe₃O₄ alone, a significant increase in the solution concentrations of ferrous and ferric ions occurred in the Fe⁰@Fe₃O₄ system: both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ reached their maximum concentrations at 60 min and then tended to decline over the next 60 min. The increase in Fe²⁺ concentration was attributed to the reaction between nZVI and CT, which produces ferrous ions when electrons transfer from Fe⁰ to organic chlorides. Synergistic effects between the composite constituents promoted the relative rates of mass transfer to reactive sites and Fe²⁺ generated in solution facilitated the reduction of chlorinated organic pollutants by magnetite. Thus, Fe⁰@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles effectively achieved reductive dechlorination of CT and provide an improved nZVI catalyst for the remediation of chlorinated organic compounds.     

Toluene steam reforming as tar model molecule produced during biomass gasification with an iron/olivine catalyst

Tar produced during biomass steam reforming is a complex mixture of single to multiple ring aromatic compounds and it is necessary to eliminate them in order to prevent any condensation-polymerisation problem. Tar steam reforming leads to additional hydrogen that improves gas production. Previous works have shown that olivine was active in tar removal during biomass gasification and the iron distribution into the mineral different phases has a real influence on its efficiency. A Fe/olivine catalytic system has been designed to study tar steam reforming. This work presents the Fe/olivine catalyst characterizations (XRD, Mössbauer, TPR) and compares the Fe/olivine and olivine reactivity in toluene steam reforming, a tar model molecule. At 850 °C, an important conversion (95%) was observed for Fe/olivine during 7 h. The strong interaction between iron and olivine, and the equilibrium between Fe⁰/Fe^II/Fe^III seem to be responsible of the catalyst activity and stability in toluene steam reforming.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of iron species using orthogonal signal correction–generalized partial least squares calibration method after vortex-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction

A vortex-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method in combination with UV–Vis spectrophotometry was developed for the simultaneous extraction and determination of iron species. In this method, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were complexed with pyridine-2-amidoxime, neutralized through ion pair formation with sodium dodecyl sulfate, and extracted into the fine droplets of chloroform. After centrifugation, the absorbance of the extracted complexes was recorded in the wavelength range of 360–700 nm. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as the pH, the type and volume of the extraction solvent, ligand concentration, and sample volume were optimized. The individual iron species was then determined by means of the orthogonal signal correction–generalized partial least squares method. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves were linear over the range of 2.0–100 and 3.0–200 µg L^?1 with detection limits of 0.4 µg L^?1 for Fe²⁺ and 0.8 µg L^?1 for Fe³⁺, respectively. The relative standard deviations for intra- and inter-day assays (n = 5) were 2.3 and 4.0 for Fe²⁺ at 50 µg L^?1 and 2.7 and 4.3 for Fe³⁺ at 30 µg L^?1, respectively. The enhancement factors of 77 and 69 were achieved for Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of iron species in water samples.     

Hexaferrites and phase relations in the iron-rich part of the system Sr-La-Co-Fe-O

The iron rich part of the system was examined in the temperature range of 1200-1380 °C in air, with focus on the solid solutions of M-type hexaferrites. Samples of suitable compositions were studied by electronprobe microanalysis (EPMA). Substituted Sr-hexaferrites in the system Sr-La-Co-Fe-O do not follow the 1:1 substitution mechanism of La/Co in M-type ferrites. Due to the presence and limited Co²⁺-incorporation Fe³⁺-ions are reduced to Fe²⁺ within the crystal lattice to obtain charge balance. In all examined M-type ferrites divalent iron is formed, even at 1200 °C. The substitution principle Sr²⁺+Fe³⁺↔La³⁺+(Fe²⁺, Co²⁺) yields to the general substitution formula for the M-type hexaferrite Sr²⁺_1-xLa³⁺_xFe²⁺_x-yCo²⁺_yFe³⁺_12-xO¹⁹ (0≤x≤1 and 0≤y≤x). In addition Sr/La-perovskite_SS (_SS=solid solution), Co/Fe-spinel_SS, hematite and magnetite are formed. Sr-hexaferrite exhibits at 1200 °C a limited solid solution with small amounts of Fe²⁺ (SrFe₁₂O₁₉↔Sr_0.3La_0.7Co_0.5Fe²⁺_0.2Fe_11.3O₁₉). At 1300 and 1380 °C a continuous solid solution series of the M-type hexaferrite is stable. SrFe₁₂O₁₉ and LaCo_0.4Fe²⁺_0.6Fe₁₁O₁₉ are the end members at 1300 °C. The maximum Fe²⁺O content is about 13 mol% in the M-type ferrite at 1380 °C (LaCo_0.1Fe²⁺_0.9Fe₁₁O₁₉).     

Combining Coagulation and Electrocoagulation with UVA-LED Photo-Fenton to Improve the Efficiency and Reduce the Cost of Mature Landfill Leachate Treatment

This study focused on the reduction of the treatment cost of mature landfill leachate (LL) by enhancing the coagulation pre-treatment before a UVA-LED photo-Fenton process. A more efficient advanced coagulation pretreatment was designed by combining conventional coagulation (CC) and electro-coagulation (EC). Regardless of the order in which the two coagulations were applied, the combination achieved more than 73% color removal, 80% COD removal, and 27% SUVA removal. However, the coagulation order had a great influence on both final pH and total dissolved iron, which were key parameters for the UVA-LED photo-Fenton post-treatment. CC (pH = 5; 2 g L⁻¹ of FeCl₃6H₂O) followed by EC (pH = 5; 10 mA cm⁻²) resulted in a pH of 6.4 and 100 mg L⁻¹ of dissolved iron, whereas EC (pH = 4; 10 mA cm⁻²) followed by CC (pH = 6; 1 g L⁻¹ FeCl₃6H₂O) led to a final pH of 3.4 and 210 mg L⁻¹ dissolved iron. This last combination was therefore considered better for the posterior photo-Fenton treatment. Results at the best cost-efficient [H₂O₂]:COD ratio of 1.063 showed a high treatment efficiency, namely the removal of 99% of the color, 89% of the COD, and 60% of the SUVA. Conductivity was reduced by 17%, and biodegradability increased to BOD₅:COD = 0.40. With this proposed treatment, a final COD of only 453 mg O₂ L⁻¹ was obtained at a treatment cost of EUR 3.42 kg COD⁻¹.