Study on mechanism of algal inactivation and pollution removal by Fe-ACF electro Fenton-like process

Algae inactivation and algal metabolic pollutant removal of Chlorella and Duneliella salina from seawater by the Fe-ACF electro Fenton-like process has been studied. The experiments were conducted at neutral condition of pH 8.3 (raw water) and 6.2 to break through the limit of strong acidic conditions. Experimental results indicated that the Fe-ACF electro Fenton-like process has a good effect for algae inactivation and for pollutant removal in neutral conditions, and pH has no obvious effect for the inactivation of algae. At optimum conditions, the inactivation efficiency for algae could reach up to 98%. A pH of 8.3 is more favorable for pollutant removal. Under neutral pH conditions, the coupling effect of indirect oxidation of •OH, direct oxidation of free chlorine and coagulation and adsorption of ferric and ferrous hydroxy complexes in the electro Fenton-like process was achieved, and the coupling effect promotes the inactivation of algae and the removal of metabolic pollutants.