Intensification of diclofenac removal through supported liquid membrane and ozonation
Mary Farah, Jaume Giralt, Frank Stüber, Josep Font, Azael Fabregat, A. Fortuny
Abstract
Pharmaceutical contaminants are frequently encountered at trace concentrations in various environmental ecosystems. This study introduces a significant approach to water treatment and environmental remediation by combining liquid membrane and ozonation. Initially, diclofenac is transported across the supported liquid membrane using a neutral organic extractant Cyanex 923. The highest removal efficiency was achieved with a 40% concentration of Cyanex923 dissolved in kerosene, resulting in a permeability of 10.2 cm/h. Additionally, diclofenac is extracted from different environmental matrices such as tap water and real effluent of wastewater, and the effect of ions species was studied. The post-ozonation in the stripping phase resulted in removal of pharmaceuticals and 72% reduction of total organic carbon at pH=10 and 45.3 g/Nm3 initial ozone concentration. The study also investigates the identification and tracking of the most prevalent by-product of diclofenac over time.