Application of Doehlert matrix to determine the optimal conditions for landfill leachate treatment by electro-Fenton process

The degradation of recalcitrant organic matter present in landfill leachates (which are hazardous and heavily polluted wastewaters) has been studied by electro-Fenton process using a Pt anode and a carbon felt cathode. This process exhibits great oxidation ability due to the in situ production ability of hydroxyl radicals (*OH) at large extent from electrochemically assisted Fentonʹs reaction which takes place between electrogenerated H2O2 and Fe2+ in homogeneous medium. H2O2 and Fe2+ are generated by simultaneous reduction at the cathode of dissolved O2 and added (at catalytic amount) Fe3+ ions. *OH thus generated react on organic pollutants until their mineralization. The optimal operating parameters for the mineralization of organic pollutants have been investigated by using Doehlert matrix. It has been demonstrated that under the optimal conditions determined by this method, electro-Fenton process can lead to an effective mineralization degree of 78% of landfill leachate solution after 8 h oftreatment. The obtained results show the efficiency of the electro-Fenton process to remove organic pollutants from aqueous medium.