Removal of refractory organics from landfill leachate by in situ electrogenerated H2O2 combined with an Fe0 Fenton-like process

Landfill leachate contains a large amount of refractory organic matter, which will cause harm to the environment if not appropriately treated. In this study, the refractory organic matter in landfill leachate has been treated by in situ electrogenerated H2O2 combined with an Fe0 Fenton-like process, aiming to explore a cleaner and more efficient process for leachate treatment. The results showed that the current, initial pH and oxygen flow rate have significant influences on H2O2 production. The current and oxygen flow rate are positively correlated with H2O2 production, and neutral conditions are more favourable. Under the conditions of a current of 200 mA, an initial pH of 7.0 and an oxygen flow rate of 0.3 L/min, H2O2 production reached 2.81 mM, the current efficiency was close to 80% and the highest removal efficiency of organic matter reached 40.70%. The absorbance at 280 nm (E280) decreased from 0.1669 to 0.1180, and the ratios E240/E420, E250/E365 and E300/E400 in the UV and visible regions changed from 0.7825, 5.4492 and 0.2422 to 1.3135, 7.3745 and 0.2966, respectively. The maximum fluorescence intensities due to humic-like acid and fulvic-like acid substances decreased from 1275 and 1246 to 595.9 and 711.0, respectively. Spectral analysis further showed that the complex structure of refractory organic matter in the landfill leachate was obviously destroyed, and the relative content of humus decreased significantly. This study may provide a theoretical basis for the effective treatment of refractory organic matter in landfill leachate by in situ electrogenerated H2O2 combined with a Fenton-like process.