Application of response surface methodology to optimize the ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide process for the removal of Reactive Red 195 dye from aqueous solution

Background and Objective: The most used dyes in textile industries are Azo Group dyes. Azo dyes have complex aromatic compounds, low chemical and biodegradable stability. Due to these properties, treatment of this type of wastewater by conventional methods will not meet environmental standards. The advanced oxidation process has been widely used to treat organic matter from wastewater. In this study, dye purification of azo dye Reactive Red 195 by UV/H2O2 process was investigated. Moreover, the parameters affecting this process have also been determined. Materials and Methods: In this study, dye treatment was conducted in the presence of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, and at different retention time, temperature and pH values in a continuous photoreactor equipped with UV lamps. Using central composite design and response surface methodology (RSM), effects of various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, retention time, temperature, and pH on the color and COD removal were studied in the range of 0–2%, 60-240 min, 25-80 oC, and 3-10, respectively. Results: The results showed that the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and retention time were the most influential parameters on color and COD removal. Color removal significantly enhanced by increasing retention time and H2O2 concentration to 200 min and 1.2%, respectively. pH increase had positive effect on color removal. There were increases in the rate of color and COD removal as the temperature went up to 50 oC. However, temperature of 80 oC negatively impacted AOP process. According to RSM, the optimum factor levels were achieved at 1.28%, 240 min, 49 oC and 10 for concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, reaction time, temperature, and pH, respectively. Conclusion: According to the result, UV/H2O2 proved to be capable of degrading Reactive Red 195. Almost all the azo dye color destroyed after 209 min while 87.52 % of the COD was removed after 240 min of irradiation.