Removal of Antibiotics from Wastewater by Comparison of Coagulation, Membrane and Adsorption Methods

In the present study, oxytetracycline (OTC) was selected as a medical contaminant with an organic structure to increase efficiency and feasibility of comparison other research studies. Therefore, removal OTC from medicinal effluents using different methods; namely, activated carbon, bentonite adsorption, iron(III) chloride coagulation, membrane filtration reverse osmosis (RO), investigated. Results indicated that soluble antibiotics in factory wastewater by adsorption method between 35% 77%, at pH 6.5 total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration were reduced 55% respectively. coagulation method, where suitable ranges 5.5 7.5, optimal dosage iron (III) 40 100 mg/l, which resulted 98.7% removal. It concluded highest RO TDS obtained pressure 9 bars. All experiments on these membranes performed within 4 months still well. it is long-term operation has little effect performance this for OTC. Finally, defined removal, after passing once through membrane, while methods are proper be used pre-treatment wastewater. KEYWORDS: Antibiotics, Absorption, Coagulation, Membrane filtration, Reverse osmosis.