Work

Multicomponent Adsorption of Paracetamol and Metronidazole by Batch and Fixed-Bed Column Processes: Application of Monte Carlo Bayesian Modeling

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study addresses the growing concern of water contamination by pharmaceutical residues, focusing on the simultaneous removal of paracetamol (PAR) and metronidazole (MTZ). Batch and fixed-bed column adsorption processes were evaluated using activated carbon. In the batch experiments, the effects of pH (3, 7, and 11), adsorbent mass (0.5, 1.25, and 2 g), and contact time (10, 30, and 60 min) were evaluated, while the fixed-bed column was optimized considering initial pollutants concentration (30, 40, and 50 mg/L), adsorbent mass (0.5, 0.75, and 1 g), and flow rate (5, 10, and 15 mL/min) to improve the maximum adsorption capacity of the bed for both pollutants (qmaxPAR and qmaxMTZ). Parameter estimation and model selection were performed using a Bayesian Monte Carlo approach. Optimal conditions in the batch system (pH = 7, W = 2 g, and time = 60 min) led to high removal efficiencies for both compounds (≥98%), while in the column system, the initial pollutant concentration was the most significant parameter to improve the maximum adsorption capacity of the bed, resulting in values equal to 49.5 and 43.6 mg/g for PAR and MTZ, respectively. The multicomponent Gompertz model showed the best performance for representing the breakthrough curves and is suitable for scale-up (R2 ≥ 0.75). These findings highlight the complexity of multicomponent adsorption and provide insights, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable water treatment technologies for pharmaceutical residues.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app15137316

Authors: Letícia Reggiane de Carvalho Costa, Júlia Toffoli de Oliveira, Fayola Silva Silveira, Liliana Amaral Féris

Institution: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Language: English

Topic: Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896