Enhanced Phenol Removal from Coke-Oven Wastewater by Ozonation Coupled with Surface-Modified Laterite

With the rapid development of the steel industry, the number of coke production facilities has increased, leading to a significant rise in wastewater containing phenolic compounds. This study investigated the use of modified laterite—an environmentally friendly and abundant material—as a catalyst in the ozonation process for phenol removal. Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the effects of key parameters such as pH, ozone dosage, and catalyst loading on treatment efficiency. Results indicated that the optimal conditions for phenol degradation were pH 11, ozone dosage of 0.225 g/h, and modified laterite content of 3 g/L. Under these conditions, treatment of actual coke oven wastewater, collected from Ha Tinh Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation, achieved 100% phenol removal after 120 minutes. Significant reductions in COD and TOC were also observed, demonstrating the potential of this combined ozonation–catalyst approach for practical wastewater treatment applications.