Author(s)

Armín Alejandro May-Marrufo¹, Roger Iván Mendez-Novelo¹, Icela Dagmar Barceló-Quintal^2*, Hugo Eduardo Solís-Correa², Germán Giacoman-Vallejos¹

¹Faculty of Engineering, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Merida, Mexico.
²Basic and Engineering Division, Chemistry and Physical Chemistry of Environmental Area, University Autonomous Metropolitan-Azcapotzalco, Mexico City, Mexico.

Organic components contained in leachates resulting from decomposition of waste are difficult to degrade. They also contain inorganic components, as nitrogen compounds, phosphates, and chlorides, also Ca, Mg, K, and heavy metals. Leachate volume and its composition vary depending on biogeochemistry of type site of deposited residues, and age of sanitary landfill. In this study, it conducted a Heterogeneous Fenton, advanced oxidation process using lignitic activated carbon as solid matrix, with and without Fe²⁺ impregnation, for the treatment of leachate (Le) obtained from a sanitary landfill located in the city of Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico. In this study was determined the efficiency of Heterogeneous Fenton process for to remove Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Color from crude leachates using mesoporous activated carbon, previously treated with HCl, HNO₃, and a mixture of both acids and impregnated with Fe²⁺ on actived carbon. It was studied of activated carbon behavior previously treated with each acid and the mixture, washed with hot water and impregnated with Fe²⁺ using FeCl₂.4H₂O and FeSO₄·7H₂O salts. For leachate treatment by Heterogeneous Fenton reaction, it was selected carbon pretreatment with HCl acid and impregnation with FeSO₄·7H₂O. Treatment with HCl presented the advantage of not prematurely oxidize to Fe²⁺. In order to select an optimal dose and achieve an adequate concentration of HO· radicals dosage tests was carried out H₂O₂. By selecting the indicated procedure, it was obtained more than 80% performance in removing COD and Color from crude leachate. The confidence level for the selected variables (acids and impregnation) was determined by a statistical analyzes using the Centurion XVII software. Finally, mesoporous lignitic carbon used in this study was found to be adequate for this oxidation process, and this method presented the advantage of not producing sludge as in traditional Fenton reaction.

Heterogeneous Fenton, Leachate, Activated Carbon, COD, Color

May-Marrufo, A. , Mendez-Novelo, R. , Barceló-Quintal, I. , Solís-Correa, H. and Giacoman-Vallejos, G. (2017) Leachate Treatment by Heterogeneous Fenton on an Activated Carbon Substrate with Fe(II) Impregnated. Journal of Environmental Protection, 8, 524-539. doi: 10.4236/jep.2017.84036.