Optimization of Fenton process for removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from hospital wastewater using response surface methodology (RSM)

In this research, the feasibility of using Fenton process for treatment hospital wastewater produced from Al-Diwaniyah hospital in Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq was examined. Batch experimental runs were conducted using cylindrical Perspex reactor under stirring condition of 250 rpm. The impacts of operating variables such as pH, concentration of Fe+2, concentration of H2O2, and time on the COD removal efficiency were investigated. For this purpose, Box-Behnken (BB) design based on the response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted to design and analyze the results. The results revealed that Fe+2 and H2O2 concentrations have the greatest impact on COD removal effectiveness, whereas pH has the least effect. The optimized operating parameters were [Fe+2]=2mM, [H2O2]=25 mM, pH= 3.1, and treatment time of 93 min in which COD removal efficiency of 95% was achieved. Results showed the ability of Fenton process in treatment hospital wastewater with efficient manner.