Multifactorial optimization of the decolorisation parameters of wastewaters resulting from dyeing flowers

This work deals with the treatment of the wastewaters resulting from the process of dyeing flowers. In some local cases for growing flowers near to Medellín (Colombia), wastewater color was found to be one of the main problems in meeting local effluent standards. Wastewaters were treated by photodegradation process (which includes photocatalysis) to achieve the degradation of dyes mixture and organic matter in the wastewater. A multifactorial experimental design was proposed, including as experimental factors the following variables: pH, and the concentration of both catalyst (TiO₂) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). According to the obtained results, at the optimized variables values, it is possible to reach a 99% reduction of dyes, a 76.9% of mineralization (TOC) and a final biodegradability of 0.834. Kinetic analysis allows proposing a pseudo first order reaction for the reduction, the mineralization, and the biodegradation processes.