Pilot-scale study of UVC-based AOPs towards implementation at the outlet of domestic WWTPs.

The degradation of a mixture of ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac in various effluents by UVC/HO or UVC/SO was studied to assess the impact of the matrix composition and of the oxidant precursor on process efficiency. Experiments were carried out in a 20-L laboratory pilot (a scaled-down version of a full-scale pilot). In effluents collected during dry weather, the rural constructed wetland effluent allowed faster degradation than the urban conventional WWTP effluent, regardless of the nature of the targets or of the oxidant precursor.

Towards improved characterisation of complex polyethylene glycol excipients using supercritical fluid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection-mass spectrometry and comparison with size exclusion chromatography-triple detection array.

The application of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) and mass spectrometer (MS) was evaluated for the characterisation of three analogues of functionalised polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 (m-PEG-OH, m-PEG-cm and cm-PEG-cm (where m = OCH and cm = OCHCOOH)). These polymers are common excipients in drug product formulations for pharmaceuticals as they help provide the desired pharmacokinetic profile for successful drug delivery. A SFC-ELSD-MS method was developed which was selective to all three polymers, and allowed visualisation of these low UV chromophore materials.

Hydrogen peroxide and persulfate activation using UVA-UVB radiation: Degradation of estrogenic compounds and application in sewage treatment plant waters.

In the present work, the degradation of three estrogens (17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)) was investigated under photoactivation of hydrogen peroxide and persulfate. Lab-scale irradiation experiments showed that both UVA and UVB radiations are able to photoactivate the oxidant precursors, although UVB is more efficient to generate radicals and therefore to degrade the targets. The efficiency of both oxidant precursors was investigated showing higher efficiency in the system with persulfate.