Spatial variation of pharmaceuticals in the unit processes of full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plants in Korea.

Several reports have elucidated the removal of pharmaceutical residues in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, there remains a need to determine the spatial distribution of pharmaceuticals in the unit processes of full-scale municipal WWTPs. Herein, spatial variations of fifteen pharmaceuticals in the unit processes of four full-scale municipal WWTPs were assessed by analyzing both solid and liquid samples. Furthermore, different pathways of each pharmaceutical such as biodegradation, adsorption, deconjugation, and electrostatic interaction were investigated. Pharmaceutical mass loading were measured at various points for the different unit process and evaluated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The average mass loading of acetaminophen and caffeine decreased tremendously in the first biological treatment process regardless of the process configuration. In contrast, a temporary increase was observed in the mass loading of ibuprofen in the anaerobic and/or anoxic processes, which was presumably caused by deconjugation. Additionally, the adverse effect of coagulation on ibuprofen removal was validated. The major removal mechanism for the selected antibiotics, except for sulfamethoxazole, was the adsorption by biosolids due to electrostatic interaction. Subsequently, a drastic decrease was observed in their mass loadings in the solid-liquid separation process of the WWTPs. The membrane bioreactor (MBR) shows excellent capability for mitigation of pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater because it comprises a high concentration of biosolids that act as adsorbents. The evaluation of the spatial variations of the selected pharmaceuticals in different unit processes provides valuable information on their behavior and removal mechanisms.

Effects of Water Removal Devices on Ambient Inorganic Air Pollutant Measurements.

Water vapor is a pivotal obstacle when measuring ambient air pollutants. The effects of water vapor removal devices which are called KPASS (Key-compound PASSer) and Cooler. On the measurement of O3, SO2, and CO at ambient levels were investigated. Concentrations of O3, SO2, and CO were 100 ppb, 150 ppb, and 25 ppm, respectively. The amount of water vapor varied at different relative humidity levels of 30%, 50%, and 80% when the temperature was 25 °C and the pressure was 1 atm. Water vapor removal efficiencies and recovery rates of target gases were also determined. The KPASS showed a better performance than the Cooler device, removing 93.6% of water vapor and the Cooler removing 59.2%. In terms of recovery, the KPASS showed a better recovery of target gases than the Cooler. Consequently, it is suggested that the KPASS should be an alternative way to remove water vapor when measuring O3, SO2, and CO.

Field-scale electrolysis/ceramic membrane system for the treatment of sewage from decentralized small communities.

The electrolysis process adopting copper electrodes and ceramic membrane with pore sizes of 0.1-0.2 µm were consisted to a system for the treatment of sewage from decentralized small communities. The system was operated under an HRT of 0.1 hour, voltage of 24 V, and TMP of 0.05 MPa. The system showed average removals of organics, nitrogen, phosphorus, and solids of up to 80%, 52%, 92%, and 100%, respectively. Removal of organics and nitrogen dramatically increased in proportion to increment of influent loading. Phosphorus and solids were remarkably eliminated by both electro-coagulation and membrane filtration. The residual particulate constituents could also be removed successfully through membrane process. A system composed of electrolysis process with ceramic membrane would be a compact, reliable, and flexible option for the treatment of sewage from decentralized small communities.

Integrated nitrogen removal biofilter system with ceramic membrane for advanced post-treatment of municipal wastewater.

The pre-denitrification biofilm process for nitrogen removal was combined with ceramic membrane with pore sizes of 0.05-0.1 µm as a system for advanced post-treatment of municipal wastewater. The system was operated under an empty bed hydraulic retention time of 7.8 h, recirculation ratio of 3, and transmembrane pressure of 0.47 bar. The system showed average removals of organics, total nitrogen, and solids as high as 93%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. Rapid nitrification could be achieved and denitrification was performed in the anoxic filter without external carbon supplements. The residual particulate organics and nitrogen in effluent from biofilm process could be also removed successfully through membrane filtration and the removal of total coliform was noticeably improved after membrane filtration. Thus, a system composed of the pre-denitrification biofilm process with ceramic membrane would be a compact and flexible option for advanced post-treatment of municipal wastewater.