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The presence of refractory organic compounds in wastewater is a global problem. Advanced oxidation processes, in general, and the Fenton oxidation process are alternative technologies for wastewater and water treatment. This book gives an overview of Fenton process principles, explains the main factors influencing this technology, includes applications, kinetic and thermodynamic calculations and presents a strong overview on the heterogeneous catalytic approach. It demonstrates that the iron-based heterogeneous Fenton process, including nanoparticles, a new complex solution, is highly efficient, environmentally friendly, and can be suitable for wastewater treatment and industrial wastewater. FEATURES Describes in detail the heterogeneous Fenton process and process applications Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of different catalysts available and their suitability to specific processes Provides economic analysis of the Fenton process in a ready-to-use package for industrial practitioners for adaptation into already existing industrially viable technologies Promotes a modern solution to the problem of degradation of hazardous compounds through ecological and environmentally friendly processes and the use of a catalyst that can be recycled Explains highly complex data in an understandable and reader-friendly way Intended for professionals, researchers, upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in environmental engineering, materials science, chemistry, and those who work in wastewater management.

Chapter 9 - The heterogeneous Fenton process can generate a large number of compounds that can be toxic to the environment, and more toxic by-products than the parent compounds can appear after the treatment process. The heterogeneous Fenton process is used to decompose contaminants by rapid oxidation in the presence of a catalyst. Iron oxides, commonly used as catalysts, are considered to be non-toxic, but there are reports of toxicity towards certain organisms. Therefore, studies on the stability of the catalysts used in the process and their potential threats to living organisms are necessary. It is essential to constantly work on the stability of the catalyst. The toxicity of the by-products is also crucial. According to the reports, the decrease in viability of organisms is organism-specific and dose-dependent, and the lethal effect is strictly related to the size of particles. Incomplete mineralization can also result in hazardous, potentially toxic compounds in the effluent. Thus, the toxicity of effluent also needs to be studied, and biodegradability needs to be increased to reduce the toxicity of the process.

Chapter 3 - The right choice of catalyst is one of the elements that determine its effectiveness. Among the most commonly used catalysts, we use iron, as well as its modifications and forms such as zero-valent iron, iron oxides, etc. magnetite (Fe3O4), hematite (Fe2O3), and goethite (FeOOH) or their nanoparticles. They have a high surface area, which enhances their catalytic activity and can be easily separated from the treated water. Another popular and environmentally friendly form is waste iron, which is the product from industry such as blast furnace slag or steel slags. Moreover, iron could be dropped on carbon materials, and various carriers.

Chapter 4 - Iron-based heterogeneous Fenton processes have been used to remove organic pollutants from wastewater. However, their efficiency is limited by iron's low solubility and iron sludge formation. Iron-based nanomaterials have been proposed to enhance the performance of the Fenton process. Researchers can employ zero-valent iron and iron oxide nanoparticles in their processes, to mention a few. This chapter reviews the recent findings in various iron-based nanostructures, their synthesis and characterization, and their application in iron-based Fenton processes. The nano-effects involved in the degradation of organic pollutants and the factors that boost the performance of the process are also discussed. It is concluded by highlighting the potential of nanomaterials in enhancing the efficiency of iron-based Fenton processes for wastewater treatment and identifying the challenges and future directions in this field.