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Description
The aim of the project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the removal of selected drugs on real wastewater and in real technological conditions of the WWTP in a demonstrative pilot plant and to determine the possible need for partial technological modifications of the filtration equipment so that it can be used in normal operation. Technically, replaceable textile filters with CarbonCLEAN® sorbent, which is a biochar-based materiál, originally developed by the applicant, will be used.
The project represents the phase after the completion of research and development and application of filter material for the removal of civilization and industrial pollutants in the prototype facility, which will be installed in two pieces at the above partners, municipal and hospital WWTP operators.
The removal of pharmaceutical residues from CarbonCLEAN® wastewater takes place by the chemisorption method, which creates a chemical bond between the pollutant molecule and the active surface of the carbon adsorbent. It is thus an adsorption method in which particles (atoms, molecules) of a substance accumulate on the surface of an adsorbent by the action of interfacial attractive forces.
CarbonCLEAN® carbon adsorbent has at least 10% better adsorption properties than most activated carbon in most pollutants. For the solution of wastewater treatment, the use of a textile filtration membrane is proposed, which, in addition to pollutants, also captures microscopic undissolved particles. The filter cartridges are then easily replaced after saturation. Flow filtration ensures safe operation at low cost.
As part of the project solution, we plan to install final treatment at two locations in the form of a bypass at the outlet of the treated wastewater.
Summary of project results
The implementation of the project enabled us to conduct a semi-operational verification of the effectiveness of the CarbonCLEAN adsorbent in real conditions at the wastewater treatment plant and/or hospital premises. In the case of the KNTB in Zlín, we had to solve problems of insufficient local wastewater treatment by installing additional pretreatment. Our stated objectives were to semi-operatively verify the possibilities of realistic deployment of additional removal of drugs and hormones from wastewater and to obtain information for the design of the full deployment of the technology.
Within the framework of the project, we designed a set of equipment for the removal of pollutants in the form of drugs and hormones from treated or pre-treated wastewater. Subsequently, we assembled the designed equipment and placed it in two technical containers, which we installed at predetermined locations on the premises of KNTB in Zlín and ÚČOV Ostrava. Both devices were then tested in operational deployment. We took samples during the tests and subsequently analyzed them in the laboratory. We found that the developed and previously laboratory-verified carbon adsorbent CarbonCLEAN can be used under full operating conditions for further removal of pharmaceuticals and their residues. If we deploy the CarbonCLEAN method as the last stage of wastewater treatment at a municipal WWTP, contamination of surface water with these advanced pollutants will be avoided. This will protect aquatic animals, especially lower-order species, from the negative consequences of exposure to these substances.
The main output is a semi-operatively verified technology for the treatment of wastewater from drugs and their residues. The CarbonCLEAN method has thus advanced to TRL 6 level in the development process. This enables us to transfer the technology to real industrial applications. The deployment of the technology will depend primarily on the development of legislation in water protection and possibly also on the willingness of water infrastructure operators to go beyond their obligations. A secondary outcome was our finding regarding the pre-cleaning requirements prior to contact with the CarbonCLEAN textile filter. An unexpected result was the interest of the operator of the Ostrava WWTP in exploring the possibilities of real deployment in full operation at one of the WWTPs. Thanks to the implementation of the project, we now have an additional technically verified method for removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater, providing a tool for water protection against these modern pollutants with a potentially harmful impact on aquatic ecosystems.
We have been working on the development of carbon adsorbent for several years. We have progressed from a powder form to a filter fabric, which we have successfully verified in laboratory conditions. In order to transfer the CarbonCLEAN technology to industrial conditions, it was necessary to semi-operatively verify the operation and efficiency of the device under adequate conditions. This is the only way to know what the next step of embedding the technology in an existing treatment plant will technically entail. And for this step, the project was essential. As a result, the CarbonCLEAN technology is ready for industrial deployment.