Adsorption of Paracetamol in Hospital Wastewater Through Activated Carbon Filters

Antonio Macías-García, Justo García-Sanz-Calcedo, Juan Pablo Carrasco-Amador and Raúl Segura-Cruz
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Antonio Macías-García: Department of Mechanical, Energetic and Materials Engineering, University of Extremadura, Elvas Avenue s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Justo García-Sanz-Calcedo: Department of Graphic Expression, University of Extremadura, Elvas Avenue s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Juan Pablo Carrasco-Amador: Department of Graphic Expression, University of Extremadura, Elvas Avenue s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Raúl Segura-Cruz: Rase Productive Project, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Saturno Street 207, 52159 Metepec, Mexico

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: In recent years, pharmaceutical products have been causing a serious environmental problem in hospital wastewater and water purification plants. The elimination of these pollutants is difficult due to their resistance to biological degradation. Paracetamol has been detected in higher concentrations in hospital wastewater than in other buildings. Activated carbons are a good material for removing paracetamol from hospital wastewater. One of the starting materials to obtain activated carbons is kenaf, which is an easy plant to cultivate. To study the elimination of paracetamol from hospital wastewater by activated carbon, the textural and chemical characterization of activated carbon, as well as the kinetic study and the analysis of the paracetamol adsorption mechanism by the adsorbent, have been carried out. The activated carbon samples studied are micro-mesoporous, with high specific surface values. The chemical composition with presence of oxygen groups favours the adsorption process. The adsorption kinetics were adjusted to a pseudo-second order model. The adsorption mechanism followed the intraparticular diffusion model, carried out in two stages: a fast first stage on the surface of the adsorbent and a slow one inside the pore. Based on the kinetic study, the use of this type of carbon is a good application for the removal of paracetamol from hospital wastewater.

Keywords: wastewater hospital; healthcare engineering; healthcare projects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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