Degradation of micropollutants in wastewater by hybrid treatment with low-energy electrons and ozone

The increasing use of pharmaceuticals with high environmental persistence has led to continuously rising concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Fraunhofer FEP is currently developing a hybrid wastewater treatment process that combines low-energy electrons and ozone to remove these emerging pollutants, which cannot be adequately removed by traditional wastewater treatment methods. The objective is to convert a broad range of micropollutants into intermediates amenable for removal in conventional wastewater purification plants. This study investigates solutions of select pharmaceuticals, which were treated and analyzed using High-performance liquid chromatography. Removal efficiencies greater than 99% were achieved, demonstrating the hybrid treatment’s success.