Developing a ceramic composite column for removal of cotrimoxazole from waste-water

Author

MHEMBERE, M.R.

Title

Developing a ceramic composite column for removal of cotrimoxazole from waste-water

Abstract

The presence of pharmaceutical compounds such as the antibiotic cotrimoxazole in the waste water effluent is an emerging environmental concern. Convectional waste water treatment processes are often ineffective at fully removing these micro pollutants. This study investigates the development of a ceramic column adsorption system for the removal of cotrimoxazole from wastewater. Ceramic materials were selected due to their high surface area, tunable pore structure and chemical stability. The ceramic column was optimised through testing of parameters such as flow rate, bed depth and initial cotrimoxazole concentration. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were evaluated to elucidate the removal mechanisms. The ceramic column demonstrated high removal efficiencies, removing over 90% of cotrimoxazole under optimal conditions. Regeneration studies showed the column could be reused multiple times with limited loss of performance. This work presents a promising ceramic based technology for targeted removal of cotrimoxazole and potentially other pharmaceutical micro pollutants from wastewater. Further research is needed to scale up the system and assess long- term viability for real world wastewater treatment
applications

Date

2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

ceramic composite column

cotrimoxazole

waste-water

removal

Supervisor

Mr G. Katengeza