Wastewater contaminated with olive oil which simulates the olive oil mills has been treated by
means of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). The Fe(II)/H2O2 system (Fenton's reagent),
Fe(II)/H2O2/UV system (solar-photo-Fenton's reagent) and the UV-photolysis were applied. A
synthetic wastewater generated by emulsifying olive oil and water was used. Experiments were
carried out using a concentrating Parabolic Trough Reactor (PTR). Oil is readily degradable, the
sunlight is captured by ferrioxalate which, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, generates
hydroxyl radicals that oxidizes organic molecules. In addition, the process efficiency is increased
by using oxalic acid. Typical operating variables such (H2O2 and Fe(II)) exerted a positive
influence on the treatment efficiency. The optimum working pH on the Fenton treatment was
found to be in the range 2.5-3.0. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on the experimental
design was applied to optimize the Fenton oxidation process.