Granular activated carbon assisted ozonation of cephalexin antibiotic

• Main Authors: Akhtar, J., Imran, M., Zahoor, M. K., Amin, N. S.
• Format: Article
• Published: Chemical Society of Pakistan 2016
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/74507/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85009926980&partnerID=40&md5=9d6f006ac30ba941381bd8af291814be

This study investigates removal of cephalexin using ozonation in the presence of granular activated carbon. Initial experiments were carried out about adsorption of cephalexin onto granular activated carbon, effect of catalytic ozonation, and biodegradability of cephalexin solution. The effect of ozonation on pH, ozone utilization efficiency and decomposition byproducts, was observed. Response surface methodology was adopted to optimize three operating parameters pH of solution, ozone supply and cephalexin concentration. GAC assisted ozonation, was found to be effective in decomposing COD (chemical oxygen demand) and cephalexin from solution. Optimum values of variables were pH from 7-8, ozone supply 30 mg/L and 100 mg/L of cephalexin solution. The complete removal of cephalexin and 60% COD removal was achieved at these optimum input values.