Diclofenac is a commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication for humans and animals. It helps with pain, but it’s not good for the environment and animals when it gets into water.
In this article, we will delve into diclofenac’s application, the aftermath of diclofenac pollution in water, existing techniques for eliminating diclofenac from water, and discuss the effectiveness of Arvia Technology’s Nyex Rosalox™ system.
It is imperative to implement effective diclofenac removal methods in wastewater treatment processes to minimize its environmental impact.
We have removed Diclofenac from a variety of clients wastewaters, consistently reducing below 0.04 µg/L in all cases.
Nyex Rosalox
Adsorption techniques, particularly using granular activated carbon (GAC) or activated carbon, have proven to be effective in wastewater treatment for diclofenac.
GAC possesses a large surface area and high adsorption capacity, allowing it to capture and retain diclofenac molecules. The adsorption process involves the attraction and binding of diclofenac to the carbon surface.
While GAC for diclofenac removal from water is commonly used, the process does have certain pros and cons. The pros include high removal efficiency, versatility, and the ability to remove other contaminants.
The cons include the need for regular replacement or reactivation of the carbon bed (and with it, considerable energy costs along the way) and the potential release of diclofenac during the regeneration process.
For reasons why we think GAC is not an environmentally-friendly process, see this article.
Another method is the use of advanced oxidation for diclofenac removal from water, such as ozone treatment.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizer that can effectively degrade organic compounds, including diclofenac.
Diclofenac removal by ozone involves the generation of ozone gas (03), which is then introduced into the water. The ozone reacts with diclofenac, breaking it down into smaller, less harmful compounds.
Ozone treatment offers rapid degradation and the ability to treat a wide range of contaminants. However, it can be energy-intensive and requires careful monitoring to optimize its efficiency. Additionally, ozone is a hazardous chemical and will require special handling.
Rhys Davies
Wastewater Treatment Consultant
Book a meeting at your convenience to talk to one of our specialists about your wastewater issues. Or send us an enquiry.
Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory medication often applied to the skin. Due to its wide-spread use as a pain-reliever, diclofenac is a high contributor to water pollution on a global scale. We have removed diclofenac consistently across various client’s wastewaters, treating to below 0.04 µg/L in all cases.
