Synergetic sludge conditioning by US enhanced Fe2+ activated sodium persulfate: Physicochemical properties and mechanisms.

Efficient dewatering of sewage sludge is an energy- and carbon-saving procedure for sludge treatment in wastewater treatment facilities. The ultrasound-coupled divalent iron ion activated persulfate process can effectively promote sludge dewatering and improve organic substance content. Under the action of ultrasound (US 50 w/L), divalent iron ions (Fe2+) 200 mg/g (TS), and persulfate (PDS) 200 mg/g (TS) for 60 min, the capillary suction time (CST) was reduced by 79.74%, and the moisture content of the dewatered sludge cake reached 56.51 wt%. The organic carbon content of treated sludge was also four times higher than the original sludge and types were richer in short-chain volatile species in US/Fe2+/PDS. Moreover, the correlation analysis found that the relationship of between CST and SV30, Zeta and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were positive correlation, and the relationship of SCOD and TC were positively correlated with the PN (SB-EPS). Mechanistic studies showed that the US/Fe2+/PDS system could produce oxygen activators by US coupling Fe2+ to strengthen the effect of activated PDS strongly, while the sulfate radicals (SO4·-) radical was a dominant role. The cracking mechanism is divided into two pathways effectively degraded the macromolecule EPS into a small-molecule acid and further reduced the water-holding interfacial affinity as follow: (1) the radical path dominated by hydroxyl radicals (·OH), SO4·-, and superoxide radical (O2·-); (2) the non-radicals dominated by monoclinic oxygen (1O2). Afterwards, the electrostatic force and interfacial free energy were reduced, resulting in enhanced self-flocculation and mobility to enhanced dewaterability. These findings demonstrated the US/Fe2+/PDS system had significant advantages in sludge cracking and provided theoretical support for its practical application.

A novel co-catalyzed system between persulfate and chlorite by sonolysis for removing triphenylmethane derivative.

Triphenylmethane (tpm) derivatives (e.g. tpmCV) have threatened the safety of the aquatic environment due to the potential toxicity and carcinogenicity. In this study, the novel ultrasonic/persulfate/chlorite (US/S2O82-/ClO2-) oxidation process was developed for the effective removal of tpmCV in wastewater. The apparent non-integer kinetics (n around 1.20) of tpmCV degradation under different factors (R2Adj > 0.990) were investigated, respectively. Inhibiting effects of anions were greater than those of cations (except Fe(II/III)). The adding of micromolecule organic acids could regulate degradation towards positive direction. The double response surface methodology (RSM) was designed to optimize tpmCV removal process, and the acoustic-piezoelectric interaction was simulated to determine the propagation process of acoustic wave in the reactor. The possible degradation pathway was explored to mainly include carbonylation, carboxylation, and demethylation. The estimated effective-mean temperature at the bubble-water interface was calculated from 721 to 566 K after introducing the ClO2-, however, the adsorption or partitioning capacity of tpmCV in the reactive zone was widened from 0.0218 to 0.0982. The proposed co-catalysis of US/S2O82-/ClO2- was based on the determined active species mainly including ClO2, SO4⋅-, and ⋅OH. Compared with other US-based processes, the operating cost (3.97 $/m3) of US/S2O82-/ClO2- with the EE/O value (16.8 kWh/m3) was relatively reduced.

Ultrasonic role to activate persulfate/chlorite with foamed zero-valent-iron: Sonochemical applications and induced mechanisms.

The novel system, consisting of composite oxidants (persulfate/chlorite, S2O82-/ClO2-) and stationary phase activator (zero-valent-iron foam, Fe0f) driven by ultrasonic (US) field, was applied to treat the triphenylmethane derivative effectively even at low temperature (≈ 289 K). By comparisons of sub-systems, the US roles to S2O82-, ClO2-, and Fe0f were seriatim analyzed. US made the reaction order of multi-component system tend to within 1 (leading to de-order reaction), and widened pH activating range of the Fe0f by sonicate-polishing during the process of ClO2- co-activating S2O82-. US and Fe0f were affected by fluid eddy on activating S2O82-/ClO2-. The Fe0f had slight effect on the temperature of US bubble-water interface but the addition of ClO2- lowered it. The partitioning capacity of the above US reactive zone increased during the reaction. US and ClO2- could enrich the kinds of degradation intermediates. The contributions of free radicals (ClOx-based radicals, sulfate radicals (SO4-), and hydroxyl radicals (OH)) and non-free radicals (ClO2, and O = FeIV/V from ionic Fe under "-O-O-" of S2O82- and cyclic adjustment reaction of ClO2-) processes by sonochemical induction were equally important by corresponding detection means. Especially, real-time and online high-resolution mass spectrum by self-developing further confirmed the chain transfers of different free radicals due to US role. The findings expanded the application of sono-persulfate-based systems and improved understanding on activation mechanism.