Photocatalytic-Adsorbent Materials for Green Olive Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The table olive industry generates large quantities of wastewater annually during the alkaline treatment, olive washing and brine fermentation stages. The high organic and phenolic compound content of this water is a regional problem for the areas where production is concentrated. The characterization and comparison of effluents from an evaporation pond provided by a representative industry in the northwest of Cordoba during two consecutive periods was carried out. The activated carbon involved in the pre-treatment of the effluent was characterised, as well as the concentration-time relationship suitable for its pre-treatment. The results of the characterisation of different Fe mixed oxides, which will be used in a subsequent treatment as photocatalysts using photo-Fenton technology, are also presented.