Application of advanced oxidation processes for remediation of rubber industry wastewater

Abstract

Rubber is an industrial material valued worldwide for its remarkable elasticity and versatility. It has become an essential material among the several various sectors, contributing to technological progress and improving the quality of everyday life. In the twenty-first century, increasing global awareness over rubber pollution has highlighted the significant attention towards the ecological footprint and sustainability challenges associated with rubber materials. The manufacturing of rubber is known to produce effluents that are difficult to treat with existing technologies. These effluents are known to have a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) alongside organic toxic pollutants. However, the new advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for treating such wastewater have shown promise alongside AOPs that produce high amounts of hydroxyl radicals. This paper analyzes other prominent techniques such as Fenton and photo-Fenton, photocatalysis, ozonation, and electrochemical oxidation, aimed at treating rubber industry effluents. These techniques are found to be highly effective against resistant pollutants and aid in increasing biodegradation efficiency. The Fenton processes, alongside AOP technologies, pose some operational challenges and are not advanced enough to have cost-effective and efficient solutions. The combination of AOPs with biological processes and other recent studies have been shown to be effective, but more research needs to be done on their economic viability. We have also emphasized the important role of hybrid synergistic systems and AI in improving the effectiveness of AOPs for achieving better waste management practices in the rubber industry.