Pharmaceutical wastewater treatment

The main methods of pharmaceutical wastewater treatment

The main methods for treating pharmaceutical wastewater include physical and chemical 

treatment and biochemical treatment. Physical and chemical treatment methods include 

coagulation, air flotation, adsorption, electrolysis, and membrane separation, while biochemical 

treatment methods include anaerobic and aerobic biological treatment.

Coagulation method

Coagulation is a commonly used physicochemical treatment method in pharmaceutical wastewater 

treatment. By adding coagulants such as aluminum sulfate and polymeric iron sulfate to wastewater, 

suspended solids and impurities are precipitated, thereby reducing the concentration of pollutants in 

the wastewater. The quality of coagulation depends on the type and dosage of coagulant, as well as 

factors such as pH and temperature of water quality.

Air flotation method

The air flotation method introduces air or other gases into wastewater to form tiny bubbles, causing 

suspended solids in the wastewater to adhere to the bubbles and float to the water surface, thereby 

achieving the goal of removing suspended solids. The air flotation method includes various forms such as 

inflatable air flotation, dissolved air flotation, and electrolytic air flotation.

Adsorption method

Adsorption method utilizes porous solid substances (such as activated carbon, activated coal, etc.) to adsorb 

organic matter and heavy metal ions in wastewater, thereby purifying the wastewater. The adsorption method 

has a significant effect on removing recalcitrant organic matter and heavy metal ions.

Membrane separation method

Membrane separation method utilizes the selective permeability of semi permeable membranes to separate 

solvents and solutes in wastewater. Common membrane separation technologies include reverse osmosis, 

nanofiltration, and ultrafiltration. Membrane separation method has the advantages of simple equipment, 

convenient operation, and high processing efficiency.

Electrolytic method

The electrolysis method uses electrode reactions to remove pollutants from wastewater through electrolysis. 

The electrolysis method has the advantages of high efficiency, easy operation, and good decolorization effect, 

and is suitable for treating wastewater containing organic matter.

Iron charcoal method

The iron carbon method utilizes the electrochemical interaction between iron and carbon to remove pollutants 

from wastewater. After treatment with iron charcoal method, the biodegradability of wastewater is significantly 

improved, making it suitable for pretreatment steps.

Fenton reagent method

The Fenton reagent method utilizes a combination of ferrous salts and hydrogen peroxide to remove recalcitrant 

organic compounds from wastewater through oxidation. The Fenton reagent method has a significant treatment 

effect, which can completely decolorize and significantly reduce COD values.