Abstract
The aim of the work was to evaluate the possibility of using commercial and modified activated carbons for the removal of oxytetracycline from aqueous solutions. The kinetics and statics of adsorption as well as the effect of the activated carbon dose and solution pH on the efficiency of the oxytetracycline adsorption were analyzed. Based on the study of oxytetracycline adsorption isotherms, the activated carbons were ranked in the following order: F-300 > WG-12 > Picabiol > ROW08 > WACC 8 × 30 > F-100 > WAZ 0.6–2.4. The most effective activated carbons were characterized by large specific surfaces. The best matching results were obtained for: Redlich–Peterson, Thot and Jovanovic models, and lower for the most frequently used Freundlich and Langmuir models. The adsorption proceeded better from solutions with pH = 6 than with pH = 3 and 10. Two ways of modifying activated carbon were also assessed. A proprietary method of activated carbon modification was proposed. It uses the heating of activated carbon as a result of current flow through its bed. Both carbons modified at 400 °C in the rotary kiln and on the proprietary SEOW (Joule-heat) modification stand enabled to obtain adsorbents with higher and comparable monolayer capacities. The advantage of the proposed modification method is low electricity consumption.
Highlights
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most dynamically developing branches of the economy in the world
Antibiotics are an important group of pharmaceuticals identified in the environment
The process was conducted with a solution with the oxytetracycline concentration of 100 mg/L, pH = 6, volume = 100 mL, to which 0.2 g of the proper activated carbon was added
Summary
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most dynamically developing branches of the economy in the world. The production value of the pharmaceutical industry in Europe (according to EFPIA) in 2018 was around 260 billion Euros. The result of such a large production and consumption of medicines is their presence in the environment. Antimicrobial resistance is a natural process, but it has been greatly accelerated by the incorrect use of antibiotics. The problem is their excessive, often irrational use in human and animal treatment, and their use as animal growth promoters [3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
