Efficient removal of phenol from aqueous solution by the pulsed high-voltage discharge process in the presence of H2O2

This study investigates the phenol degradation by pulsed high-voltage discharge (PHVD). The effect of solution pH, temperature, treatment time and initial phenol concentration on phenol degradation were examined. The results showed that the phenol removal efficiency was increased with the rise of pH, temperature and treatment time. The phenol removal efficiency was 48%, 46%, 42% and 34%, respectively at 10, 40, 90 and 160 ppm phenol solutions. The phenol degradation rate was increased markedly when H2O2 was added into the solution. Almost complete phenol degradation (100%) was achieved when 20-40 mM of H2O2 was added into phenol solutions of 40, 90 and 180 ppm.