Treatment of a Petrochemical Industry Wastewater by a Solar Oxidation Process Using The Box-Wilson Experimental Design Method

As an advanced oxidation treatment, the Fe(III)/H(2)O(2)/Solar-UV process was applied to a petrochemical refinery wastewater in Izmir, Turkey. A solar photocatalytic reactor was used for the advanced oxidation. The Box-Wilson experimental design method was employed to optimize the wastewater flowrate, oxidant and catalyst concentrations as significant factors for maximum organic matter removal. Organic matter removal was monitored throughout the operation period. The maximum reduction in the TOC concentration was 49% with the addition of 2677 mg/L H(2)O(2) and 0.5 mM Fe(III) at a 10 L/h flowrate after 8 hours of exposure to solar irradiation.