Advanced biological activated carbon filter for removing pharmaceutically active compounds from treated wastewater
Luca Sbardella1, Joaquim Comas2, Alessio Fenu3
1Aquafin nv, Dijkstraat 8, 2630 Aartselaar, Belgium; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain.
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 2, 2018
Summary
A pilot study evaluated a biological activated carbon (BAC) and ultrafiltration (UF) system for removing pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) from wastewater. The system effectively removed PhACs, with physical adsorption being the primary mechanism, supported by significant biodegradation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Engineering
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are significant sources of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in aquatic environments.
- Effective removal of PhACs is crucial to mitigate water pollution and protect ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a combined biological activated carbon (BAC) and ultrafiltration (UF) system for removing PhACs at a pilot scale.
- To evaluate the role of biofilm activity on granular activated carbon (GAC) in PhACs removal.
Main Methods:
- A pilot-scale BAC-UF system was operated for one year to monitor PhACs removal.
- Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted over four months to differentiate between adsorption and biodegradation contributions.
- PhAC removal efficiencies were quantified for various drug classes and specific compounds.
Main Results:
- The BAC-UF system demonstrated high removal rates for various PhACs during the initial phase (up to 89%).
- Performance declined after GAC saturation (9200 bed volumes), indicating the importance of adsorption capacity.
- Physical adsorption was the dominant removal mechanism, but biodegradation by biofilm contributed significantly (up to 35%) for certain PhACs.
Conclusions:
- The combined BAC-UF system is an effective advanced treatment for removing PhACs from wastewater.
- Granular activated carbon plays a vital role in PhACs removal primarily through adsorption, with biodegradation offering a complementary removal pathway.
- Understanding the interplay between adsorption and biodegradation is key for optimizing biofiltration systems for PhAC removal.
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