Effect of Biomass and Operating Condition on Biodegradation Capacity of a Mix of Pharmaceuticals (Carbamazepine, Ibuprofen, and Ciprofloxacin) in a Membrane Bioreactor

Abstract

There is no existing applicable law that regulates compounds of emerging concern (CECs), so they remain a global concern because they are easily taken up by organisms. Because of the current need, different processes have been developed capable of removing CECs. A membrane bioreactor (MBR) system and a hybrid moving bed biofilm reactor–membrane bioreactor (MBBR–MBR) system with a 35% filling ratio were tested on real urban wastewater under 6 and 10 h of hydraulic retention time to remove pharmaceutical compounds. The mixed-liquor suspended solids changed between 5,200 and 5,700 mg/L and the temperature varied between 12.6°C and 28.1°C simulating real conditions. The plant received a shock with the mix of pharmaceutical compounds (carbamazepine, ibuprofen, and ciprofloxacin) used to study its behavior. The removal of ibuprofen, carbamazepine, and ciprofloxacin was above 83.7%, 48.6%, and 10.6%, respectively, regardless of the process and the operative variables; these removal rates increased when the temperature increased.