Pressurized electro-Fenton for the reduction of the environmental impact of antibiotics

This work evaluates the performance of a pressurized heterogeneous electro-Fenton (EF) process to transform antibiotic into compounds that do not promote appearance bacteria resistant in environment. Experimental system consisted non divided microfluidic electrochemical cell equipped with jet aerator, flow-through electrodes and fluidized bed goethite as iron catalyst. Results show meropenem (model antibiotic) can be degraded by EF degradation rate depends on gauge pressure applied: higher is pressurization, faster abatement meropenem. The effect urine related remained treated urine, contribution reaction intermediates does seem relevant. mineralization organic load almost nil. dissolved oxygen concentration pressurized-EF thus, hydrogen peroxide generation seems key point explain process. confirm moderated (up 3 bar) satisfactorily used decrease chemical risk synthetic hospital urines, which opens possibility an optimized pre-treatment may help save cost treatment these hazardous wastes.