Application of response surface method for Total organic carbon reduction in leachate treatment using Fenton process

Abstract Removal of the untreated landfill leachate can be a wellspring of risk to accepting waters. Hence, the treatment of landfill leachate is considered environmentally essential. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used in this study to obtain the best result from the treatment of landfill leachate, particularly the total organic carbon (TOC) removal. Various parameters such as the hydraulic retention time, pH, Fe2＋ concentration and H2O2: Fe2＋ ratio on the total organic carbon removal were investigated. Response surface methodology was connected to enhance the treatment procedure and characterise the parameters playing the most important role. It was evident that the underlying pH had the most noteworthy negative impact, while retention time had a positive effect. The Fe2＋ concentration had a negative effect, and the ratio of H2O2: Fe2＋ did not have a significant impact on the removal of organic carbon. Results showed that the optimum total organic carbon removal was observed at a retention time of 37.31 min, pH of 3, H2O2:Fe2＋ ratio of 4.75, and Fe2＋ concentration of 634.49 mg/L. The experimental values of the total organic carbon removal were validated through the response surface methodology and at the optimum settings, whereby up to 95.16% of total organic carbon removal was observed and thus confirmed the results of the developed model. A high R2 value of 95.29% coefficient close to 1 confirmed some of the close similarities in the results of both experimental and model analyses. The generated empirical model can be used by landfill operators to estimate the removal of total organic carbon from the leachate by using Fenton treatment.