Ultrasonic cavitation treatment of o-cresol wastewater and long-term pilot-scale study

Acoustic cavitation is a cutting-edge and eco-friendly advanced oxidation technology with significant efficacy in removing organic pollutants from water. Despite its potential, research on the degradation of o-cresol, a common and challenging phenolic pollutant, is limited. This study systematically investigates the optimal conditions for degrading o-cresol via acoustic cavitation and evaluates its application potential through extensive pilot tests. Batch test results indicate that ultrasonic cavitation effectively treats high concentrations of o-cresol (300 mg L−1), with aeration and neutral pH conditions enhancing removal efficiency, while the initial concentration has minimal impact on the removal rate. Additionally, analyses of total organic carbon (TOC), degradation products, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reveal that the main intermediates of o-cresol degradation through ultrasonic cavitation are substituted phenols and alkanes, with a mineralization rate reaching 60%. To assess the practical application of ultrasonic cavitation devices for o-cresol wastewater treatment, long-term pilot tests were conducted. These tests confirmed the device's effectiveness in removing o-cresol and its operational stability over 180 days. Furthermore, the study established the relationship between the o-cresol removal rate, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and operational cost. Consequently, this study demonstrates the feasibility of ultrasonic cavitation technology in treating high-concentration o-cresol wastewater and its potential for use in the pretreatment stage of biochemical treatment processes. [Display omitted] •Acoustic cavitation has a good removal effect on 300 mg L−1 o-cresol.•PH and aeration significantly affect o-cresol degradation via acoustic cavitation.•Acoustic cavitation can achieve 80% degradation and 60% mineralization of o-cresol.•Acoustic cavitation pilot plant can effectively and stably treat o-cresol wastewater.