Reduction of the environmental and health impact of hospital effluents through advanced oxidation processes

• Autores: Antía Fernández Sanromán
• Directores de la Tesis: Marta María Pazos Currás (dir. tes.), Emilio Rosales Villanueva (dir. tes.)
• Lectura: En la Universidade de Vigo ( España ) en 2024
• Idioma: inglés
• Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Luigi Rizzo (presid.), Aurora Santos López (secret.), Cristina María Catalao Quintelas (voc.)
• Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Ingeniería Química por la Universidad de Vigo
• Menciones:
  • Internacional
• Calificación: Sobresaliente Cum Laude
• Materias:
  • Ciencias tecnológicas
    • Ingeniería y tecnología químicas
      • Tecnología de catálisis
    • Ingeniería y tecnología del medio ambiente
      • Tecnología de aguas residuales
• Enlaces
  • Tesis en acceso abierto en: Investigo
• Resumen

  • The increase in drug consumption and the improvement of human health have led to the continuous introduction of these biologically active molecules into the environment. The efficiency of drug removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is variable, and some of these compounds pass through these facilities almost unchanged. On the other hand, hospitals are a source of pathogens found in urban wastewater. The presence of pathogens, especially emerging ones (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), generates significant concern in society. Therefore, the direct treatment of hospital wastewater (HW) is essential, especially for the removal of drugs and pathogens that, without proper treatment, expose society to the risk of infection.

    This project aims to deepen the knowledge and improve efficient HW decontamination processes, focusing on drugs and pathogens. The project is a continuation of previous ones (CTM2014 52471 R, CTM2017 87326 R), and the group has experience in the synthesis, structural characterization of reactive materials, application, and monitoring through electroanalysis techniques.

    Currently, advances have been made in the removal of contaminants through processes such as adsorption and advanced oxidation (AOP). However, the efficiency of these processes depends on the reactive material (adsorbent, electrode, or catalyst) used in each case and the ability to adapt its properties, particularly conductivity, porosity, and surface functional groups.

    This thesis will address several approaches to contribute to and improve the knowledge of using these technologies for the treatment of pathogens and drugs. The first approach will be the study of tailored reactive materials, such as Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF). These designer materials are used as catalysts and can be structurally modified and functionalized to be of interest in specific processes. Therefore, the efficacy of different AOPs, including photocatalysis, electro-oxidation, and Fenton-like processes, will first be evaluated using commercial MOFs, such as those of iron and copper, Basolite® F-300 and Basolite® C-300, respectively. Additionally, MOFs containing two metals, known as bimetallic MOFs, will be synthesized to further improve the properties of MOFs in water decontamination using sulfate radical-advanced oxidation processes. Suitable immobilization technologies for their use in the selected AOP technology will also be sought.

    The second approach will be the synthesis of ecological catalysts, such as graphitic carbon nitride. The effects of the synthesis processes influencing its properties will be evaluated, as well as the technology used in photocatalysis and electro-photocatalysis AOPs. Furthermore, this material can also be used as an adsorbent. Following the principles of circular economy, it will be modified with various industrial and agro-industrial wastes (food and fruit industry wastes) treated through hydrothermal carbonization processes to manufacture carbonaceous materials. These carbonaceous materials will improve the properties of graphitic carbon nitride, enhancing its properties for use as an adsorbent