To develop an effective method to remove the toxic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CPAHs) from textile dyeing sludge, five CPAHs were selected to investigate the degradation efficiencies using ultrasound combined with Fenton process (US/Fenton). The results showed that the synergistic effect of the US/Fenton process on the degradation of CPAHs in textile dyeing sludge was significant with the synergy degree of 30.4. During the US/Fenton process, low ultrasonic density showed significant advantage in degrading the CPAHs in textile dyeing sludge. Key reaction parameters on CPAHs degradation were optimized by the central composite design as followed: H2O2 concentration of 152 mmol/L, ultrasonic density of 408 W/L, pH value of 3.7, the molar ratio of H2O2 to Fe2+ of 1.3 and reaction time of 43 min. Under the optimal conditions of the US/Fenton process, the degradation efficiencies of five CPAHs were obtained as 81.23% (benzo[a]pyrene) to 84.98% (benz[a]anthracene), and the benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (BaPeq) concentrations of five CPAHs declined by 81.22-85.19%, which indicated the high potency of US/Fenton process for removing toxic CPAHs from textile dyeing sludge.
Keywords: Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Central composite design; Fenton; Textile dyeing sludge; Ultrasound.