Degradation of carbofuran in aqueous solution by ultrasound and Fenton processes: Effect of system parameters and kinetic study

To establish an efficient oxidation process for carbofuran degradation, the effects of some operating parameters such as dosages of H₂O₂, Fe²⁺ and initial carbofuran concentrations were observed during carbofuran degradation by the ultrasound process, Fenton process and a combined ultrasound/Fenton process. The degradation kinetics of carbofuran was also examined based on the experimental data. The results show that more than 99% of the carbofuran was degraded by the ultrasound/Fenton process within short reaction time periods. Increased dosages of H₂O₂ and Fe²⁺ enhanced the degradation of carbofuran in the ultrasound and Fenton oxidation processes, but initial carbofuran concentrations decreased carbofuran degradation in both the Fenton and ultrasound/Fenton processes. The degradation kinetics of carbofuran by the three oxidation processes was found to be in accordance with first-order reaction kinetics. The results provide fundamental information about the treatment of carbofuran wastewater and/or other pesticides by the ultrasound/Fenton oxidation process.