Fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, is a widely prescribed anti-depressant that has brought relief to millions of people worldwide. However, its presence in water sources has raised concerns about potential environmental and health implications.
Fluoxetine can be difficult to remove from water as conventional techniques may not be as effective at fully removing the pollutant. However, our Nyex Water treatment technology has seen success at reducing the pollutant using a combination of adsorption and oxidation in a single step process.
Our Nyex water treatment technology proved to be successful in in fluoxetine removal from water. We removed 92% of fluoxetine from municipal wastewater – from 0.06µg/L to 0.0046µg/L.
Efficient water treatment for fluoxetine contamination is crucial to ensure the treatment of water and reduce potential risks.
Current fluoxetine removal technologies include oxidation processes, membrane filtration, and adsorption.
Adsorption is one of the most commonly used fluoxetine removal methods. Using adsorbent materials such as activated carbon or zeolites, water is passed through at pressure. The adsorbent materials have a high affinity for capturing and retaining contaminants due to their massive surface area.
Activated carbon or zeolites effectively attract and bind fluoxetine molecules to their surface. The adsorption process can significantly reduce concentrations, but there are drawbacks with this type of fluoxetine water filtration.
For a comprehensive overview of the pros and cons of adsorption using (GAC) granular active carbon, see this article.
It should always be borne in mind that the effectiveness of any adsorption process can be influenced by factors such as:
The pH of the water.
The contact time.
Presence of other substances that may compete for adsorption sites.
The age of the adsorptive material.
By far the most efficient method of fluoxetine water purification is to use the Nyex Rosalox™ system from Arvia Technology. It’s a unique combination of adsorption and electrochemistry. It removes many pharmaceuticals including SSRIs like fluoxetine down to trace levels.
With no hazardous chemicals to add and no toxic sludge to remove, Rosalox is a proven process. The key to this remarkable performance is the patented Nyex™ adsorptive media. This actually regenerates itself during the treatment process. And unlike activated carbon, it only needs 2-3% top up every year, making maintenance easy.
Rosalox reactors have a small footprint so can be sited almost anywhere. They can also be used as part of a water treatment train or as a stand-alone. With no moving parts, they are quiet and reliable in operation.
Irais Baizabal
Wastewater Treatment Consultant
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Fluoxetine is an antidepressant which forms part of a group of substances known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine is used to treat major depressive disorders and panic attacks. Our Nyex water technology proved effective in fluoxetine removal from water. We removed 92% of fluoxetine from municipal wastewater – from 0.06µg/L to 0.0046µg/L.
