Highly effective oxide catalyst for the detoxification of oil mill wastewaters by the wet air oxidation process

AbstractThe performance of a model MnCeOx catalyst (Mnat/Ceat, 1) in the catalytic wet air oxidation of p-cumaric acid and a “real” olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) has been thoroughly assessed. Experimental results in the temperature range of 383–433 K and pressure range of 1.0–1.5 MPa document a high purification efficiency of the MnCeOx system toward both p-cumaric acid and OMW, along with a high mineralization activity leading to CO2 selectivity values of 60 and 50% (433 K) for p-cumaric acid and OMW, respectively. Stability tests indicate a high resistance of the catalyst against deactivation phenomena by fouling.