Evaluation of using of microfiltration and nanofiltration in treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater containing antibiotics

Pharmaceuticals, particularly antibiotics in wastewater pose a new challenge to wastewater professionals as well as to the pharmaceutical industries. In this study, application of Granular Acticated Carbon (GAC) Microfiltration (MF) and Nanofiltration (NF) in pilot scale was investingated to evaluate this method's efficiency in COD removal from an origin wastewater .The wastewater is from a manufacturing plant producing antibiotics for human use. Rejection of selected antibiotics and Influence of driving force, on COD removal were investigated. Driving force, have effective influence on the removal of COD and there is an optimal condition for COD removal by Nanofiltartion. In addition, the rejection of antibiotics by Nanofiltration and GAC was high and acceptable.

Keywords:

Amoxicillin , Antibiotic wastewater , -lactams , GAC , Nanofiltration