Chapter 9 - Removal of pharmaceutically active compounds from wastewater by hybrid advanced oxidation processes

Abstract

The presence and removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) from municipal and industrial wastewater has recently been gaining lot of attention, since these contribute significantly to their presence in aquatic bodies. Because of the recalcitrant nature of these compounds, conventional treatment technologies are, in general, not efficient in their removal. Hence, considerable attention is now being given in developing suitable advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), relying on the generation of powerful radicals, for degrading these micropollutants and achieving efficient treatment of the wastewater. Thereby, the treated effluent can be reused and utilized for various purposes for achieving the concept of zero liquid discharge. However, with the varying nature of these PhACs, individual AOPs may not be sufficient for their complete mineralization. In this regard, hybrid AOPs, that are the combination of different AOPs, can improve their mineralization in wastewater. This chapter provides an overview of pharmaceutical pollution, toxicity associated with PhACs, and various AOPs for their removal from wastewater. Further, the need for hybrid AOPs for PhACs removal, basic removal mechanism, and the effect of different operational conditions on treatment are also discussed. Finally, the chapter also reviews the current efforts for the treatment of real pharmaceutical wastewater by hybrid AOPs, and concludes with the discussion on the existing challenges and future research directions.