Parameters optimization for eutrophic lake water treatment by a novel process of iron-carbon micro-electrolysis coupled with catalytic ozonation using response surface methodology

A novel process of iron-carbon micro-electrolysis (ICME) coupled with catalytic ozonation (CO) for treatment of eutrophic lake water was developed. A series of batch experiments with ICME alone and CO alone were designed to investigate the effects of process parameters, such as initial pH, dose of Fe-C, time of micro-electrolysis, ozone flux, dose of TiO2/activated carbon (TiO2/AC), and time of ozonation, on the removal rates of TN, TP, CODMn and Chl-a. The process parameters were optimized using response surface methodology. The results showed that initial pH, dose of Fe-C and ozone flux had significant effects on removal of TN, TP, CODMn and Chl-a. Within the range of selected operating conditions, the optimized values of initial pH, dose of Fe-C, time of micro-electrolysis, ozone flux, dose of TiO2/AC, and time of ozonation were 3.8, 13.7 g/L, 29.6 min, 3.19 L/min, 294.74 mg/L and 106.73 min, respectively. Furthermore, ICME alone had significant advantages in TP and CODMn removal and CO alone favored TN and Chl-a. Under the optimal process conditions, the final removal rates of TN, TP, CODMn, and Chl-a by hybrid process of ICME-CO reached 75.33%, 86.29%, 94.42% and 97.57%, respectively. The present research provides a new alternative technology with promise for treatment of eutrophic lake water.