Ultraviolet-based heterogeneous advanced oxidation processes as technologies to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater: An overview

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107630
• Publication Date: 2022-03-30T17:11:39Z
• Authors: J. Meijide; G. Lama; M. Pazos; M.A. Sanromán; P.S.M. Dunlop
• Keywords: Emerging Technologies

Contaminants of emerging concern including pharmaceuticals and personal care products are increasingly detected at low concentrations in surface waters. Given the associated toxicity these compounds, there is potential for significant impacts on aquatic life food chain. Since most not biodegradable, they cannot be removed by secondary treatment processes conventional wastewater plants. Therefore, development alternative methods plays a critical role removal pharmaceuticals. Energy consumption key factor technology selection, use solar energy may help minimise operating costs. Thus, this work provides comprehensive review relevant research published between 2016 2021 targeting active pharmaceutical ingredients using ultraviolet processes, photo-Fenton, photocatalysis photoelectrocatalysis. While focus remains novel catalysts some efforts have been made to demonstrate reuse materials multiple cycles, little aimed scaling up systems or investigating their efficacy real water matrices test beyond laboratory setting. The concludes with recommendations future studies, highlighting importance comparing technologies terms cycle assessment, use, financial considerations provide holistic understanding that can play removing trace compounds from wastewater.