Homogeneous catalytic wet-air oxidation for the treatment of textile wastewater

An extensive series of experiments was performed to identify suitable catal ysts to increase the reaction rate of wet-air oxidation of textile wastewat er at relatively mild temperatures and pressures. Wastewater types treated included natural-fiber desizing wastewater, synthetic-fiber desizing wastew ater, and printing and dyeing wastewater. Experimental results indicated th at all catalysts tested in this investigation significantly increased the c hemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) removal rates an d total COD and TOC removals. Of all catalysts tested, copper salts were th e most effective. Anions in the salt solutions played a role in the catalyt ic process. Nitrate ions were more effective than sulfate ions. Similarly, copper nitrates were more effective than copper sulfates. A mixture of salt s containing different metals performed better than any single salt.