| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 640389 | Separation and Purification Technology | 2015 | 7 Pages |
•The addition of CTAB can enhance the removal of NSAIDs by ECF process.•The optimum dose of CTAB is equal to the sum of the molar concentration of NSAIDs.•Higher current density produced smaller bubbles and achieved better performance.•The organic impurities in actual wastewater decrease the performance of ECF.
An electrocoagulation flotation (ECF) process was used to remove selected nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), specifically diclofenac, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen, from water. A cationic surfactant, cethyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), was added to the solution as a collector and frother. Without the addition of the cationic surfactant, the removal of NSAIDs in a single-NSAID solution was in the range of 10–45%; it decreased to approximately 10% in multiple-NSAID systems. However, after adding a stoichiometric amount of CTAB, the removal of NSAIDs significantly improved in single-NSAID systems. For multiple-NSAID removal, the concentration of CTAB required to achieve ideal removal was equal to the sum of the molar concentrations of all the NSAIDs. In addition, a high current density produced smaller bubbles, thus enhanced the electro-flotation and achieved better removal performance. Removal of multiple-NSAIDs in actual hospital wastewater was significantly lower due to interference by oils and other hydrophobic substances.
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