The Fenton Reaction – Our Fentox® Process
Wet-chemical oxidation of critical substances in wastewater streams
We plan and manufacture your highly efficient individual solution
Do you have toxic, biologically refractory substances in the wastewater from your production? We have developed different application-specific systems for this purpose.
- Fentox OCR (Organic Carbon Removal) targets detoxification and enhanced biological availability, e.g. in pesticide manufacturing.
- Fentox PRU (Phosphorus Removal Unit) oxidises organophosphorous compounds to produce a precipitable product. Fentox CRU (Cyanide Removal Unit) safely converts cyanide to cyanate, with particular emphasis on continuous process control.
Your personal partner for these processes: Eisenmann Environmental Technology.
How our Fentox® works
The Fentox® process was developed based on the Fenton reaction. Here, iron salts and hydrogen peroxide react under acidic conditions to form hydroxyl radicals. These exhibit a high oxidising power and act on critical individual substances.
After the removal of larger solids, iron salt is dosed and the water is fed into a two-stage reactor cascade. Hydrogen peroxide is dosed into the reactors and the wastewater is oxidised in a targeted manner. This changes the organic matrix, making it biologically degradable and even precipitable. Up to 50% of the organic load can thereby be separated during neutralisation precipitation together with the hydroxide sludge that forms.
At your side throughout all project phases
Our experienced team provides everything you need for your wastewater treatment – always keeping your specific production environment in view from planning and manufacturing through to after-sales service. Where standard products are insufficient, we develop our own solutions. For wastewater treatment using our Fentox® process, efficiency and system design can be determined in advance through scalable laboratory tests conducted by us.
Let us advise you thoroughly and align all measures with your operational processes.
Your benefits
- Significantly more cost-effective than alternative processes such as thermal treatment or adsorption onto activated carbon
- Highly effective for wastewater that cannot be treated biologically
- Effective reduction of COD and AOX by up to 90%
- Excellent compatibility with physico-chemical and biological treatment stages
- Removal of individual substances to below detection limits
- Scalable baseline data determined through our laboratory tests
Fentox® process in the press
Example: Polyvinyl alcohol removal from wastewater in paper manufacturing
Want expert advice?
Simply contact us by phone or in writing. We will be happy to inform you about your options for the Fentox® process and develop your optimal solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fentox® Process
What is the Fentox® process?
Fentox® is a wastewater treatment process developed by Eisenmann Environmental Technology for wastewater containing toxic or poorly biodegradable substances. Based on the Fenton reaction, it uses the strong oxidizing power of hydroxyl radicals to selectively oxidize contaminants. This can help reduce organic pollution, improve biodegradability, and make certain pollutants more accessible for downstream treatment processes. The process is tailored to the specific wastewater composition and the desired treatment objective.
How does Fenton oxidation work?
Fenton oxidation is based on the reaction of iron salts and hydrogen peroxide under acidic conditions. This reaction generates hydroxyl radicals with a very high oxidation potential. These radicals react with persistent organic pollutants in wastewater and selectively alter their chemical structure. In the Fentox® process developed by Eisenmann Environmental Technology, wastewater is first treated to remove larger solids and then fed into a multi stage reactor system. Iron salts and hydrogen peroxide are dosed into the reactors to oxidize the contaminants present. As a result, pollutants can be more easily biodegraded or removed in downstream treatment processes.
For which types of wastewater is the Fentox® process suitable?
The Fentox® process is particularly suitable for wastewater containing toxic or poorly biodegradable substances. Typical applications include wastewater from pesticide production, phosphorus containing organic compounds, and cyanide contaminated wastewater. The process is used when contaminants cannot be treated sufficiently by biological processes alone or when a targeted pretreatment step is required. Eisenmann Environmental Technology adapts the Fentox® process to the specific wastewater composition and treatment objective. Different process variants are available, including Fentox OCR, Fentox PRU, and Fentox CRU.
When is the Fentox® process used?
The Fentox® process is used when wastewater contains toxic substances or compounds that are difficult to biodegrade. Through oxidation, contaminants can be selectively transformed, detoxified, or made more accessible for downstream treatment processes. Depending on the application, the process can be used to improve biodegradability, meet regulatory discharge limits, or remove specific contaminants. Eisenmann Environmental Technology adapts the process to the specific wastewater composition and the desired treatment objective.
What are the advantages of the Fentox® process compared to thermal treatment or activated carbon?
The Fentox® process can be a cost effective alternative to technologies such as thermal treatment or adsorption on activated carbon. It is particularly suitable for wastewater containing toxic or poorly biodegradable substances and can specifically improve the biodegradability of the wastewater. In addition, Fentox® can be easily combined with physicochemical and biological treatment stages. Depending on the application, organic pollutants such as COD and AOX can be significantly reduced, while specific contaminants can be removed to below detection limits. Eisenmann Environmental Technology determines the optimal process design in advance through scalable laboratory testing.
How effective is Fenton oxidation in wastewater treatment?
The effectiveness of Fenton oxidation depends on the composition of the wastewater and the contaminants it contains. Depending on the application, organic pollutants such as COD and AOX can be reduced by up to 90 percent. In addition, specific contaminants can be removed to below detectable limits, depending on the wastewater characteristics and treatment objectives.
Can the Fentox® process be integrated into existing wastewater treatment systems?
The Fentox® process can often be integrated into existing wastewater treatment plants. For example, it can be added as an additional treatment stage when new wastewater quality requirements must be met or when existing processes are unable to remove certain contaminants effectively. Eisenmann Environmental Technology analyzes the existing treatment system and develops suitable integration or retrofit concepts based on the specific process requirements. This allows wastewater treatment performance to be adapted efficiently to changing operational and regulatory demands.
Does Eisenmann Environmental Technology offer customized Fentox® solutions?
Eisenmann Environmental Technology develops Fentox® systems tailored to the specific wastewater composition and the desired treatment objective. Depending on the application, different process variants can be used, for example for detoxification, improving biodegradability, or treating specific contaminants such as organophosphorus compounds or cyanides. To ensure optimal system design, Eisenmann Environmental Technology conducts scalable laboratory tests during the planning phase. This allows the process and plant concept to be specifically adapted to the requirements of each application.