Efficiency investigation of photo-Fenton process in removal of sodium dodecyl sulphate from aqueous solutions

Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules with a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail which increase solubility of hydrophobic compounds. These materials can be harmful for human health and the environment. The aim of this study is to investigate efficiency of photo-Fenton process in removal of sodium dodecyl sulphate from aqueous solutions. An experimental study conducted in 2015 at Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Parameters which influence on removal; including: pH, concentration of H2O2 and Fe2+, UV radiation, the initial concentration of sodium dodecyl sulphate and contact time were investigated. Experiments were also conducted under obtained optimal conditions on wastewater of soft drink in Kerman city. Sampling and experiments were done according to the Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater 20th edition. Optimum conditions were pH 3, H2O2=0.5mmol, Fe2+=40mg/L, UV-C=45 watt, the initial concentration of sodium dodecyl sulphate=25mg/L and contact time=30min. Maximum removal were achieved as 94.36 and 71% for synthetic solutions and soft drink wastewater, respectively. Photo-Fenton process is an effective and high-efficiency method in removal of anionic surfactants from aqueous solutions. This method can remove sodium dodecyl sulphate from real sample of water with efficiency of 71% in 30min.