Aniline removed from simulated wastewater by electro-Fenton process using electric energy from photovoltaic modules

The novel electro-Fenton powered by photovoltaic modules, which is with double anodes and Pd/MWCNTs catalyst, is constructed to remove aniline from wastewater. The results show that when current density is 50 mA/cm2, removal efficiency of aniline (REOA) is the highest and up to 95.1% in 15 min. REOA for electrode plate of 20 mm × 20 mm is the highest and 96.6% in 30 min. There is an optimal pH of 2. When current ratio between the Pt anode B and the iron anode A is 15:1, its REOA is the highest and 94% in 30 min, and a first order kinetics can be concluded. Aniline is removed obviously by the electrode reactions and H2O2 oxidation, and the strong oxidation of hydroxyl radical is also an important pathway. In the open, SII solar irradiation intensity of 460 W/M2 is the largest, and REOA is the highest and 88.6% in 30 min. Surprisingly, although SIIA solar irradiation intensity of 670 W/M2 is higher than SII1’s, SIIA REOA for natural wastewater is lower than SII1’s for simulated wastewater. The adopted process is feasible and aniline can be removed from wastewater in a safer and lower-cost way.