Many natural and synthetic chemical compounds found in health and personal care products and household items can affect the regular function of endocrine system in human and animals. Although the effects of chronic exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on human remains inconclusive, evidence of their adverse effects on wildlife is well documented. EDCs are found in increasing frequency in natural water due to inadequacy of traditional treatment technologies in current wastewater treatment plants. Laboratory research and pilot scale studies have identified adsorption, ozone reaction and membrane processes to be the most effective treatment technologies for EDCs in water. This work employs an ozone membrane reactor to achieve synergy between ozonation, adsorption and membrane separation with the goal of achieving more efficient and complete remediation of these potent pollutants. Membranes were used to define the reactor space and were employed as ozone distributor, reaction contactor and water separator. Tests carried out using four representative EDCs prevalent in waters of Europe and Asia (i.e., diclofenac sodium, caffeine, phthalate and carbamzepine) show the reactor capable of achieving complete EDCs conversion and high TOC removal at short residence time. A mathematical model was developed to simulate the reactor operation and explore new designs to further enhance the reactor performance.

Experiment and mathematical modeling of the ozone membrane reactor for treatment of EDCs in water

246th National Meeting (2013)

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