Clofibric acid and gemfibrozil removal in membrane bioreactors

Water Sci Technol. 2015;71(8):1143-50. doi: 10.2166/wst.2015.079.

Abstract

The removal of two blood lipid regulators, clofibric acid (CLA) and gemfibrozil (GFZ), was evaluated using two identical aerobic membrane bioreactors with 6.5 L effective volume each. Polysulfone ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes were submerged in the reactors. Different operating conditions were tested varying the organic load (F/M), hydraulic residence time (HRT), biomass concentration measured as total suspended solids in the mixed liquor (MLTSS) and the sludge retention time (SRT). Complete GFZ removal was obtained with F/M of 0.21-0.48 kg COD kgTSS⁻¹ d⁻¹, HRT of 4-10 hours, SRT of 10-32 d and MLTSS of 6-10 g L⁻¹. The GFZ removal can be attributed to biodegradation and there was no accumulation of the compound in the biomass. The CLA removals improved with the SRT and HRT increase and F/M decrease. Average removals of 78-79% were obtained with SRT 16-32 d, F/M of 0.21-0.34 kgCOD kgTSS⁻¹ d⁻¹, HRT of 7-10 hours and MLTSS of 6-10 g L⁻¹. Biodegradation was found to be the main removal pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Bioreactors*
  • Clofibric Acid / chemistry*
  • Clofibric Acid / metabolism
  • Gemfibrozil / chemistry*
  • Gemfibrozil / metabolism
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / chemistry
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / metabolism
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Sewage
  • Ultrafiltration / instrumentation
  • Ultrafiltration / methods
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*

Substances

  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Sewage
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Clofibric Acid
  • Gemfibrozil