Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) for Removal of Persistent Organic Pollutants: Efficiency and Energy Considerations

Abstract

This study examined the efficiency and energy considerations of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including pharmaceuticals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to compare the performance of different AOPs, with UV/H₂O₂, ozonation, and Fenton’s reagent being the primary techniques evaluated. The results demonstrated that UV/H₂O₂ achieved the highest degradation efficiency across all pollutant types, with removal rates of 92.3% for pharmaceuticals, 89.5% for PCBs, and 87.1% for pesticides. Fenton’s reagent showed the lowest removal rates, ranging from 70.2% to 76.3%, but required significantly lower energy input compared to UV-based processes. These findings highlighted the trade-off between degradation efficiency and operational energy demands, suggesting that treatment selection should be guided by both pollutant type and resource availability. The study further emphasized the need for hybrid treatment strategies to address the chemical resistance of certain pollutants, as well as the importance of optimizing operational parameters to reduce energy consumption. Overall, the research confirmed that AOPs remain indispensable tools for addressing contaminants resistant to conventional wastewater treatment methods. The conclusions provided insights into improving pollutant-specific removal, guiding wastewater treatment facilities, and supporting the development of sustainable water purification technologies for large-scale applications.