Efficiency of Electro/Persulfate (EPS) Process in Degrading High Concentrations of Ceftriaxone in Pharmaceutical Effluents

Two-valent iron ions can be used to activate persuphate anions. The objective of the present study was to investigate the electrical activation of persuphate anions and to determine the efficiency of electro-persulphate in the removal of ceftriaxone antibiotic from synthetic pharmaceutical effluents. For this purpose, a reactor (with an effective volume of 1 L) equipped with iron electrodes connected to a DC power supply was used and the effects of pH, voltage, persulphate content, and ceftriaxone initial concentration on the efficiency of the process were studied. Moreover, electrode corrosion, synergistic effects of the parameters studied, reaction kinetics, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were studied. Results showed that the variables had a significant effect on process efficiency such that 96% of the ceftriaxone in the effluent was removed under the following optimum conditions: pH: 3, voltage: 10 V, a persulphate concentration of 50 mM/L, a ceftriaxone initial concentration of 0.18 mM/L, and a reaction time of 45 min. However, removal efficiency declined when the above conditions changed. It was also observed that COD removal was 72% in the optimum reaction time. Moreover, the process kintetics was found to be a first-order one. Application of an electrical process to active persulphate anion is assoiated with such advantages as reduced iron consumption and high antibiotic removal efficiency. Based on the results obtained, the proposed method may be recommended as an alternative for treating persistent pollutants to reduce environmental pollution.