FENTON OXIDATION DE-CONTAMINATION OF KEROSENE AND GASOLINE CONTAMINATED SURFACE WATER FROM THE OGBE IJOH RIVER: PROCESS OPTIMIZATION AND KINETIC MODELLING

Abstract

Fenton oxidation decontamination of kerosene and gasoline-contaminated water from the Ogbe Ijoh River was investigated for its effectiveness as an advanced oxidation process (AOP). The optimum conditions at ambient temperature and pH = 3, were 22,500 mg (22.5 g) H₂O₂ and 200 mg FeSO₄ per L of 10% contaminated water treatment. Pseudo-first and second-order kinetic equations were used to test the kinetic model. The result indicated that both the first and second-order kinetics were applicable even though the first order must fit. This indicates that there was a change in the mechanistic pathway during the degradation process. The rate constants of 2.06 X10^-2 and 2.14 X 10^-2 mg/L.S were obtained for the first-order kinetic plots for the degradation of kerosene and gasoline-contaminated waters respectively. The 90.90 and 94.11% reductions in total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) values for kerosene and gasoline-contaminated water for the six hours of contact time represented significant achievement in remediation. However, some physicochemical parameters of the treated water have negative effects on the overall quality of the water. Thus, there is need for post-treatment to ensure safe discharge or reuse.