**Phenolic Wastewaters: Definition, Sources and Treatment Processes Phenolic Wastewaters: Definition, Sources and Treatment Processes**

Yana Batista Brandão, Julierme Gomes Correia de Oliveira and Mohand Benachour Yana Batista Brandão, Julierme Gomes Correia de Oliveira and Mohand Benachour Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/66366

### **Abstract**

This chapter aims the state of the art concerning the development of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for treatment of organic-aqueous effluent for the reuse of liquid water. It presents the major oxidative processes applied for industrial and domestic treatment, where the effluents are often contaminated by phenolic compounds. A special emphasis is given to a relatively new technique called direct contact thermal treatment (DiCTT) that has the advantages of conventional AOP without its inconveniences. The DiCTT process is characterized by the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) by combustion of natural gas, its compact installation and easy operation, being able to be used in offshore oil-exploration platforms, where natural gas is available and the space is reduced. Also, in this chapter, original results on the treatment of the DiCTT technique are presented, which are considered unconventional, by evaluating the oxidation and the conversion of the total organic carbon (TOC) of phenolic compounds at low temperature and atmospheric pressure, with identification and quantification of the intermediate compounds, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which may be more toxic than the original pollutants.

**Keywords:** phenolic compounds, natural gas, AOP, DiCTT, TOC
