A Role of Dissolved Iron ion in Combined Fenton Reaction for Treatment of TNT Contaminated Soil

Fenton's reaction are difficult to apply in the field due to the low pH requirements for the reaction and the loss of reactivity caused by the precipitation of iron (II) at neutral pH. Moreover, Fenton-like reactions using iron mineral instead of injection of iron ion as a catalyst are operated to get high removal result at low pH. Because hydroxyl radical can generate at the surface of iron mineral, there are competition with a lot of hydroxide at around neutral pH. On the other side, to operate Fenton's reaction series at neutral pH, modified Fenton reaction is suggested. The complexes, composed by iron ions (ferrous ion or ferric ion)-chelating agent, could be acted as a catalyst and presented in the solution at neutral pH. However, modified Fenton reaction requires a lot of hydrogen peroxide. Accordingly, the purpose of this experiment was to effectively combine Fenton-like reaction and modified Fenton reaction for extending application of Fenton's reaction. i.e., injecting chelating agents in Fenton-like reaction at around neutral pH is increasing the concentration of dissolved iron ion and highly promoting the oxidation effect. 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was used as a probe compound for comparing reaction efficiencies in this study. If the concentration of dissolved iron ion in combined Fenton process were existed more than 0.1 mM, the total TNT removal were increased. Magnetite-NTA system showed the best TNT removal (76%) and Magnetite-EDTA system indicated about 56% of TNT removal. The results of these experiments proved more promoted 40-60% of TNT removal than Fenton-like reaction's.