In the present study, two different advanced oxidation processes, the Fenton reaction and titanium dioxide photocatalysis process, were tested and compared with the aim of water recovery from bilge water. A suitable analytical method was developed in order to evaluate the efficiency of the processes. Wastewater and process products were characterized using analysis of the total carbon content, elemental analysis and permanganometry. The experimental tests were performed both on synthetic samples and on the real matrix. The percentages of carbon abatement in bilge water after the Fenton reaction and titanium dioxide photocatalysis were 67% and 64%, respectively. The Fenton reaction efficiency increased to 95% when the bilge water aqueous phase was pretreated by flocculation using a polyelectrolyte. This combined process can be considered as a valid method to treat bilge water which can then be discharged directly into the sea, sewer, or may be reused as gray water. © 2022, The Author(s).

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