Erythromycin Abatement from Water by Electro-Fenton and Peroxyelectrocoagulation Treatments

Electro-Fenton (EF) and peroxyelectrocoagulation (PEC) processes were investigated to mineralize 10 mg L−1 erythromycin from ultrapure water, evaluating the influence of anode material (BDD Fe), current density (janode) (5 mA cm−2 cm−2), oxygen flowrate injected cathode (0.8 L min−1 O2 2.0 O2) pH (2.8, 5.0 7.0) on process efficiency electricity costs. 70% mineralization was reached after applying 0.32 A h under best operational conditions: PEC treatment at 5 cm−2, 2.8. The consumption electrochemical cell these conditions approximately 0.3 kWh m−3. Early-stage intermediates produced degradation identified quantified throughout a potential pathway proposed. most appropriate tested with synthetic solutions applied treat real effluent tertiary an urban wastewater plant. All emerging compounds listed in EU Decision 2018/840 (Watch List 2018) determined before treatment. pollutants degraded below their quantification limit, except estrone 17-α-ethinylestradiol which 99% removed water. Electricity 0.4 Whilst awaiting future results that demonstrate innocuity generated byproducts, this investigation (high removal yields for together low cell) indicate promising high as water treatment/remediation/regeneration technology.