PHENOLIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT: A REVIEW

Abstract

Phenols are extremely toxic to humans, plants and other animals. The toxicity of phenol concentrations in
industrial effluents is high enough to meet its needs for separation. Advanced oxidation processes can be effectively used
for wastewater treatment applications due to the easy operation and simple reactor design. In this review, advanced
oxidation processes such as Photocatalysis, Fenton and Cavitation (Ultrasound and Hydrodynamic) have been discussed
for effective degradation of Phenol from wastewater. Also hybrid methods based on cavitation coupled with Fenton
process, UV and Fenton and sonophotocatalysis (US/UV) for the treatment of Phenolic wastewater have been discussed.
It has been observed that the main mechanism for the higher efficiency of degradation using combined process depends
on the generation of additional hydroxyl radicals and its proper utilization for the degradation of the pollutant.