DECOLORIZATION AND DEGRADATION OF ERIOGLAUCINE (ACID-BLUE-9) DYE IN WASTE-WATER

Erioglaucine (CAS No. 3844-45-9) is a widely used acid aminotriphenylm ethane dye of an intense blue color. Erioglaucine containing wastewate r streams are not affected by activated sludge treatment plants. There fore, pretreatment is necessary before discharging. In the industry th e standard procedure is to use NaOCl for this purpose. Experiments sho wed that wastewater treated with this method could contain between 100 and 200 mg l(-1) of adsorbable organic chlorine (AOX) compounds of a questionable ecotoxicological relevance. Alternative treatment methods with reagents containing H2O2 have been investigated. The experimenta l results are assessed in terms of color and DOC reduction, H2O2 consu mption, and enhancement of biodegradability. A combination of activate d carbon and H2O2 proved not to be a viable alternative. Treatment wit h Fentons reagent (H2O2 and Fe2+) was found to be effective in terms o f color removal as well as enhanced biodegradability. in the optimum o perating range of pH and H2O2/Fe2+ ratio 5 mi of a 35% H2O2 solution a re sufficient for the treatment of Ig Erioglaucine. Between 10 and 40 degrees C, the reaction is completed in less than 4h. The environmenta l effects of the Erioglaucine degradation with Fentons reagent are sma ll compared with the NaOCl treatment. Therefore, oxidation of Erioglau cine containing wastewater with NaOCl should be replaced by a treatmen t with Fentons reagent. The assumption is that the results obtained fo r Erioglaucine also apply to other structurally related aminotriphenyl dyes.