Numerical investigation of ibuprofen removal from pharmaceutical wastewater using adsorption process

In the present study, a mathematical modelling was developed to investigate ibuprofen adsorption from pharmaceutical wastewater into activated carbon and sonicated activated carbon. The developed model was dissolved based on the finite element method. Effect of different operating parameters including particle porosity and diameter as well as ibuprofen diffusion coefficient in solution on the amount of ibuprofen adsorption at different time point and position in the particle were evaluated. It was found good agreement between experimental values and modelling results in terms of ibuprofen adsorption as a function time. The 84.5% and 92.5% of maximum adsorption was achieved for the AC and SAC at the centre of particle after 150 min. Increasing the particle porosity and ibuprofen diffusion coefficient was improved the ibuprofen adsorption into the adsorbent. However, the particle diameter had negative impact on the system performance. There was a decrease in solute adsorption from 84.10 to 7.30 mg/g and from 106 to 15.73 mg/g for the AC and SAC respectively with increasing the particle radius from 173 to 500 mu m. Finally, it was concluded that the particle specifications play important role in the adsorption process as it was observed considerable change in the amount of adsorption at different positions in the particle with changing the particle specifications.

Automated summary

The study developed a mathematical model to investigate the adsorption of ibuprofen from pharmaceutical wastewater into activated carbon and sonicated activated carbon. The research found that increasing particle porosity and ibuprofen diffusion coefficient improved ibuprofen adsorption, while particle diameter had a negative impact on system performance. Additionally, it was observed that particle specifications play an important role in the adsorption process, leading to considerable changes in adsorption amount at different positions in the particle.