Optimization of persulfate activation system using ferrous sulfate for TOC removal from real domestic wastewater

Mohamed Fouad, Ph.D. Student, Public Works Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, EgyptFollow
Mohamed Mossad, Prof. of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Public Works Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Egypt
Mohamed Gar Alalm, Assoc. Professor, Public Works Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Egypt
Mahmoud Samy, Lecturer, Public Works Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Egypt

Subject Area

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

The reuse of treated wastewater is increasingly recognized as a sustainable solution to address global water shortage. This study investigates the effectiveness of a persulfate-based advanced oxidation process (AOP) using sodium persulfate (Na2S2O8) activated by ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) as a tertiary treatment for secondary effluents. Real municipal wastewater was collected from Agouzain Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt. A Box Benkhen design (BBD) was employed to optimize three key variables: FeSO4 dose (0.5–2.0 g/L), Na2S2O8 dose (0.5–2.0 g/L), and pH (3.0–9.0), with total organic carbon (TOC) removal as the main response. Under optimized conditions (0.50 g/L FeSO4, 2.00 g/L Na2S2O8, pH 9.0), a maximum TOC removal efficiency of 87.29% was attained within 60 min. The treated effluent revealed significant reductions in COD, BOD5, TOC, and microbial indicators, confirming compliance with general standards for non-potable reuse. Overall, the Na2S2O8/FeSO4 system demonstrated high efficiency and reliability, offering a practical and cost-effective approach for tertiary wastewater treatment and safe reuse applications.

Keywords

Advanced oxidation processes; Optimization; Sulfate radicals; TOC removal; Water scarcity

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Fouad, Mohamed; Mossad, Mohamed; Alalm, Mohamed Gar; and Samy, Mahmoud (2025) "Optimization of persulfate activation system using ferrous sulfate for TOC removal from real domestic wastewater," Mansoura Engineering Journal: Vol. 50 : Iss. 6 , Article 5.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58491/2735-4202.3316

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