Efficiency of ozonation and sulfate radical - AOP for removal of pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors, x-ray contrast media and perfluorinated compounds from reverse osmosis concentrates

This study investigated the elimination of pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors, x-ray contrast media and perfluorinated compounds from reverse osmosis concentrates during ozonation and UV/persulfate processes. Second-order rate constants for the reactions of candesartan, irbesartan, methyl-benzotriazole, and chloro-benzotriazole with sulfate radical (SO4•−) were determined for the first time. Experiments were conducted in buffered pure water, in buffered water added with the matrix substituents chloride, carbonate, NOM, and reverse osmosis concentrate with spiked micropollutants (MP). UV/persulfate eliminated all MP to a higher extent than ozonation in RO concentrates due to the higher yield of oxidative species and photolytic degradation. Compounds with electron-rich moieties like carbamazepine, diclofenac, metoprolol, and sulfamethoxazole were completely eliminated with small ozone doses (< 0.5 mg O3 / mg DOC) and with a small fluence (< 5000 J m−2) in UV/persulfate processes. Photosensitive compounds with high reactivity towards hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and SO4•− like the x-ray contrast media Iopamidol, Iohexol, and Amidotrizoic acid were successfully eliminated with small fluence in UV/persulfate, whereas these compounds persist in ozonation at common ozone dosages. However, much higher fluence and ozone dosages were required for the least reactive compounds like the class of benzotriazoles. Comparing the application of both oxidative processes to the RO concentrate, ozonation has the disadvantage of higher by-product formation like bromate. The energy input of both processes strongly depends on the target compounds to be eliminated. For the elimination of compounds such as sulfamethoxazole, ozonation is a feasible technique, whereas UV/persulfate is better suited for the elimination of recalcitrant compounds such as x-ray contrast media. In general, oxidative process treatment of RO concentrate could be applied to partly abate micropollutants before discharge.