Removal of naphthalene and phenanthrene in synthetic solutions by electro-oxidation coupled with membrane bioreactor.

Naphthalene (NAPH) and phenanthrene (PHEN) are two of the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in nature, and they are considered in the list of US EPA priority pollutants. The contribution of this research lies in the comprehensive analysis of a strategy for the coupling of electro-oxidation (EO) and biodegradation in a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) with the objective to remove PAHs, using NAPH and PHEN as model compounds. The electrochemical degradation of NAPH and PHEN in aqueous synthetic solution has been carried out using two different anodes: Ti/IrO and Ti/SnO.

Degradation of pharmaceutical compounds in water by oxygenated electrochemical oxidation: Parametric optimization, kinetic studies and toxicity assessment.

The pharmaceutical compounds sulfamethoxazole (SMX), propranolol (PRO) and carbamazepine (CBZ) are biorecalcitrant and frequently detected in waters causing negative impacts on human health and aquatic organisms. Electrochemical oxidation appears as an effective option for the removal of recalcitrant compounds and its enhancement is an important issue for the removal of emerging compounds in water. The contribution of this research lies in the comprehensive analysis of the oxygenated electro chemical oxidation of CBZ, SMX and PRO using Nb/BDD mesh anode.

Effect of electrolytes on the simultaneous electrochemical oxidation of sulfamethoxazole, propranolol and carbamazepine: behaviors, by-products and acute toxicity.

In this work, the effect of supporting electrolytes on the simultaneous electrochemical oxidation of the pharmaceuticals sulfamethoxazole (SMX), propranolol (PRO), and carbamazepine (CBZ) in aqueous solutions has been studied. Based on the identified by-products, the degradation mechanisms were proposed and the acute toxicity was evaluated for each electrolyte. Assays were carried out in batch mode in a 2 L undivided reactor using a niobium coated with boron-doped diamond (Nb/BDD) mesh anode and Ti cathode at 2.

Electrochemical carbamazepine degradation: Effect of the generated active chlorine, transformation pathways and toxicity.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a biorecalcitrant pharmaceutical compound frequently detected in wastewater and water bodies which has numerous negative effects on living organisms. In this investigation the effect of electrocatalytically generated active chlorine on CBZ degradation was studied using Nb/BDD or Ti/IrO anodes. Subsequently, a response surface methodology based on a factorial plan and central composite design was carried out to determine the contribution of individual factors and to obtain the optimal experimental parameters for CBZ abatement.

Biodegradability of fluoxetine, mefenamic acid, and metoprolol using different microbial consortiums.

The biodegradation of fluoxetine, mefenamic acid, and metoprolol using ammonium-nitrite-oxidizing consortium, nitrite-oxidizing consortium, and heterotrophic biomass was evaluated in batch tests applying different retention times. The ammonium-nitrite-oxidizing consortium presented the highest biodegradation percentages for mefenamic acid and metoprolol, of 85 and 64% respectively. This consortium was also capable to biodegrade 79% of fluoxetine.

Removal of naphthalene and phenanthrene using aerobic membrane bioreactor.

The removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by membrane bioreactor (MBR) under aerobic conditions had been studied using naphthalene (NAP) and phenanthrene (PHE) as model compounds. Three MBRs with submerged ultra-filtration hollow fiber membranes were operated applying different operational conditions during 6.5 months.

Clofibric acid and gemfibrozil removal in membrane bioreactors.

The removal of two blood lipid regulators, clofibric acid (CLA) and gemfibrozil (GFZ), was evaluated using two identical aerobic membrane bioreactors with 6.5 L effective volume each. Polysulfone ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes were submerged in the reactors.