Abstract
The influence of various factors on the removal efficiency of selected pharmaceuticals by membrane filtration was investigated. Several commercial polymer membranes were used for nanofiltration (NF) from various manufacturers. The studies were conducted for ibuprofen (IBF), amoxicillin (AMX), diclofenac (DCF), tetracycline (TRC), salicylic acid (SA) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The influence of the structure and properties of the tested compounds on the retention coefficient and filtration rate was investigated. The influence of pH on the filtration parameters was also checked. The properties of selected membranes influencing the retention of pharmaceuticals and filtrate flux were analysed. An extensive analysis of the retention coefficients dependence on the contact angle and surface free energy was performed. It was found that there is a correlation between the hydrophilicity of the membrane and the effectiveness and efficiency of the membrane. As the contact angle of membrane increased, the flow rate of the filtrate stream increased, while the retention coefficient decreased. The studies showed that the best separation efficiency was achieved for compounds with a molecular weight (MW) greater than 300 g/mol. During the filtration of pharmaceuticals with MW ranging from 300 to 450 g/mol, the type of membrane used practically did not affect the filtration efficiency and a high degree of retention was achieved. In the case of low MW molecules (SA and ASA), a significant decrease in the separation efficiency during the process was noted.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe subject of wastewater treatment and water recovery is constantly facing new challenges
Research conducted around the world shows a fairly common presence of pharmaceuticals in surface waters as well as in wastewater and sludge [3–8].Their concentration in tested water samples ranges from ng/dm3 to μg/dm3 and it is predicted that with the growing human population and the greater iations
Seven polymer membranes with different surface structures were examined in the study
Summary
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe subject of wastewater treatment and water recovery is constantly facing new challenges. The development of analytical methods enabled the identification of new threats resulting from the presence of trace amounts of hazardous substances in the natural environment due to human activity. Concerns about the presence of pharmaceutically active compounds in drinking water and surface waters have been increasing since the late 1990s [1–4] The constantly increasing demand for pharmaceuticals and their consumption, combined with incomplete metabolism in the human body, have led to an increase in concentration in wastewater and surface waters to which they are discharged. Research conducted around the world shows a fairly common presence of pharmaceuticals in surface waters as well as in wastewater and sludge [3–8].Their concentration in tested water samples ranges from ng/dm to μg/dm and it is predicted that with the growing human population and the greater iations.
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