Abstract
The comparative degradation behavior of cefalexin (CLX) using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with the aim of improving CLX biodegradability was studied. Among the AOPs used, RuO 2/Ti anodic oxidation (AO), AO in the presence of electro-generated H 2O 2 (AO-H 2O 2), and the electro-Fenton (EF) process, the EF process was the most effective. In the EF process an activated carbon fiber (ACF) was used as a cathode. Different input variables, including catalyst concentration, pH, and current density were evaluated to find the optimum conditions for the EF. The most suitable operational conditions were as follows: a current density of 6.66mA/cm 2, a pH of 3, and a concentration of 1mM of Fe 2+ as the catalyst. Different CLX concentrations were analyzed as well of different reaction times to assess the degree of mineralization. The change in biodegradability was evaluated by the BOD 5/COD and the BOD 14/COD ratios. The EF did not effectively remove the COD, but removed enough to achieve suitable biodegradability for a further biological process.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-48 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Hazardous Materials |
Volume | 227-228 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 Aug 15 |
Keywords
- Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
- Biodegradability enhancement
- Cefalexin
- Electro-Fenton process
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Chemistry
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Pollution
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis