Naslov
RO/NF membrane treatment of veterinary pharmaceutical wastewater: comparison of results obtained on a laboratory and a pilot scale

Autori
Dolar, Davor ; Ignjatić Zokić, Tatjana ; Ašperger, Danijela ; Košutić, Krešimir ; Mutavdžić Pavlović, Dragana

Izvornik
Environmental science and pollution research (0944-1344) 19 (2012), 4; 1033-1042

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
pharmaceuticals wastewater treatment ; veterinary pharmaceuticals ; coagulation ; microfiltration ; NF/RO membranes

Sažetak
The emerging contaminants (ECs) are commonly derived from industrial wastewater sources due to often inadequate treatment. Improperly pre-treated pharmaceutical wastewater could cause difficulties in the work of wastewater treatment plants, and incomplete elimination of ECs during processing could result in their appearance even in drinking water sources. This paper investigated membrane treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater on a laboratory and on a pilot scale and removal of five selected veterinary pharmaceuticals (VPs) (sulfamethoxazole (SMETOX), trimethoprim (TMP), ciprofloxacin (CIPRO), dexamethasone (DEXA) and febantel (FEBA)). Pretreatment of pharmaceutical wastewater by coagulation and microfiltration (MF) prevented the irreversible fouling of the fine porous structure of reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes which were used in the final stage of wastewater processing. Percentage removal of selected VPs ranges from 94% to almost 100% in the case of NF and RO membranes in both scales. The recovery in pilot scale was 88%. The differences in retention between laboratory and pilot test are due to different raw wastewater quality, different recovery and hydrodynamic of the two systems. Fouling and concentration polarization were more pronounced in laboratory set up than in pilot unit. Membrane cleaning was successfully carried out in both scales. Each pharmaceutical wastewater is case for itself and its membrane treatment should start with membrane selection in laboratory scale, and then selected membranes with best performances should be investigated on pilot scale. Variability in the quality of wastewater and the differences in technical performance of the laboratory and pilot devices may still influence the process of scale up. Proposed integrated membrane treatment (coagulation, MF, NF and RO) can be employed for the treatment of wastewater from pharmaceutical factory. Obtained permeate (purified stream) can be safely discharged to sewer system or could be used again in manufacturing process.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemija, Kemijsko inženjerstvo, Temeljne tehničke znanosti, Interdisciplinarne tehničke znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA