Volume 19 Issue 1
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Kevin U. Antela, Davide Palma, Angel Morales, Maria Luisa Cervera, Debora Fabbri, Alessandra Bianco Prevot. 2026: Online measurement and timely optimization of hydrogen peroxide concentration in photo-Fenton processes: Application of an Arduino device. Water Science and Engineering, 19(1): 67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.wse.2025.12.006
Citation: Kevin U. Antela, Davide Palma, Angel Morales, Maria Luisa Cervera, Debora Fabbri, Alessandra Bianco Prevot. 2026: Online measurement and timely optimization of hydrogen peroxide concentration in photo-Fenton processes: Application of an Arduino device. Water Science and Engineering, 19(1): 67-74. doi: 10.1016/j.wse.2025.12.006
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Online measurement and timely optimization of hydrogen peroxide concentration in photo-Fenton processes: Application of an Arduino device

doi: 10.1016/j.wse.2025.12.006

  • a. Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 5, Torino 10125, Italy;

  • b. Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of València, Dr. Moliner 50, Burjassot 46100, València, Spain

  • Received Date: 2025-04-26
  • Accepted Date: 2025-12-09
    • Available Online: 2026-03-28
    Abstract
  • The scale-up of photocatalytic processes for pollutant removal from water involves several critical aspects, including timely analytical control and optimization of operational parameters to maximize efficiency while minimizing reagent consumption. In advanced oxidation processes, reagent use represents a major cost. Specifically, in photo-Fenton processes, excess hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can hinder pollutant degradation kinetics, making precise dosing crucial. Automation of H2O2 concentration monitoring and dosing is therefore essential to the development of reliable, rapid, and cost-effective devices. This study investigated the role of H2O2 dosing in the photo-Fenton degradation of two emerging contaminants (paracetamol and caffeine). A custom Arduino-controlled automated device was employed for online colorimetric H2O2 measurements and dosing. The kinetics of substrate degradation, organic carbon mineralization, and H2O2 consumption were compared to determine the optimal H2O2 dosing strategy for maximizing process efficiency. The H2O2 consumption profile was found to be substrate-dependent. Caffeine degradation exhibited distinctive behavior, warranting preliminary analysis of its by-products. The device also enabled online dissolved oxygen measurements to explore potential relationships with H2O2 concentrations. The results revealed faster substrate and organic carbon removal when a stoichiometric H2O2 dose was added initially, whereas successive additions of smaller H2O2 doses reduced overall H2O2 consumption.

     

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