| description abstract | Most matured landfill leachate contains organic recalcitrant molecules that cannot be easily separated by biological processes alone. Integrating an advanced oxidation process (AOP) and a biological process would be a better option for treating matured landfill leachate. Among the different AOPs, the Electro-Fenton (EF) process is the most promising technology as it is economical, effective, and environmentally friendly in processing organic waste material. Better effluent quality and a lower footprint are the significant merits of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology, making it an attractive choice for wastewater treatment. In this study, the EF process is integrated with a MBR for treating matured landfill leachate. In EF treatment, the effect of independent variables such as pH, current density, H2O2 dosage, and reaction time on the biodegradability index [biological oxygen demand (BOD)/chemical oxygen demand (COD)] was determined using response surface methodology (RSM). Under optimum conditions (pH 2.85, current density 129.5 A/m2, H2O2 dosage 55.75%, reaction time 40 min), the biodegradability index of the matured landfill leachate increased from 0.21 to 0.45. The EF-MBR integrated system gave a total reduction in total suspended solids, BOD, COD, ammonia nitrogen, phosphate, sulfate, sulfide, and chloride of 94.2%, 90.62%, 94.55%, 84.66%, 100%, 83.19%, 85.07%, and 83.37% respectively. The economic analysis revealed that the total cost of an EF-MBR integrated treatment is $0.488/kg of COD digested and $10.68/m3 of matured landfill leachate treated. The study reveals the possibility of enhancing BOD/COD by EF and reducing the amount of pollutants considerably through an EF-MBR integrated process to guarantee environmental protection. | |
