Application-Scale Parametric Evaluation of Ultraviolet Photolysis (UV) and for the Degradation of Neutral Pharmaceuticals in Municipal Wastewaters
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 12
Abstract
The removal of 10 pharmaceuticals and 3 of their metabolites from municipal wastewater by ultraviolet irradiation at a wavelength of 254 nm (UVC) and were investigated in this study. Experiments were conducted at a full-scale test facility embedded in an operating wastewater treatment plant. The results give a uniquely clear representation of the effectiveness of these processes for full implementation. Parametric studies on UV intensity and dosage were performed, with accompanying analysis of feed water variability. Removal by UV photolysis was compound specific, with more than 70% sulfamethoxazole, caffeine, ciprofloxacin, fluoxetine, and norfluoxetine being removed with of UV fluence. Under similar conditions, 20%–70% removal of metformin, acetaminophen, cotinine, and erythromycin occurred, while removal of trimethoprim, venlafaxine, O-desmethylvenlafaxine, and carbamazepine was found. The addition of provided little benefit over UV irradiation alone. Therefore, the addition of to UV treatment is only marginally beneficial over UV photolysis for degradation of very low concentrations of pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater. is expected to be more effective in waters with higher concentrations of pharmaceuticals, such as reverse osmosis reject water.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code were generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This research was jointly funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the City of Calgary. Funding to construct ACWA was provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Province of Alberta, through the Alberta Science Research Investments Program, University of Calgary, City of Calgary, and Western Economic Diversification. ACWA is a partnership between the University of Calgary and The City of Calgary—The City of Calgary is acknowledged for allowing construction of ACWA’s facilities at a tertiary wastewater treatment facility.
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Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 12 • December 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Mar 15, 2021
Accepted: Jul 28, 2021
Published online: Sep 22, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 22, 2022
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