There are a number of ways to remove and/or destroy pharmaceuticals and other medical related chemicals. The selection depends on the source of the wastewater, the types and concentrations of contaminants. The closer you can place the treatment process to the source of the wastewater containing the chemicals of concern, the more effective you will be in removing them. Fundamentally, source control (preventing their discharge to sewer) is the most effective means of control. Examples of technologies that have been demonstrated to be effective (depending on the wastewater characteristics and water chemistry) includes advanced oxidation (i.e. technologies that generate significant quantities of hydroxyl radicals), biological treatment (bio-oxidation and adsorption to biomass), adsorption to activated carbon and biochar, ozonation, membrane filtration (including reverse osmosis), and wet oxidation.
Published by Troy Vassos, Senior Environmental Engineer
There are a number of ways to remove and/or destroy pharmaceuticals and other medical related chemicals. The selection depends on the source of the wastewater, the types and concentrations of contaminants. The closer you can place the treatment process to the source of the wastewater containing the chemicals of concern, the more effective you will be in removing them. Fundamentally, source control (preventing their discharge to sewer) is the most effective means of control. Examples of technologies that have been demonstrated to be effective (depending on the wastewater characteristics and water chemistry) includes advanced oxidation (i.e. technologies that generate significant quantities of hydroxyl radicals), biological treatment (bio-oxidation and adsorption to biomass), adsorption to activated carbon and biochar, ozonation, membrane filtration (including reverse osmosis), and wet oxidation.