Removal of Organic and Inorganic Mercury from Pharmaceutical Wastewater
Funded by:
Wyeth Pharmaceutical Company &
Villanova Center for Environment, Villanova
University
Thimerosal (a benzene mercury sodium salt: C9H9HgO2SNa ) and trace
amounts
of
Hg2+ are present in wastewater from the manufacture of certain
pharmaceutical
drugs and quality analysis/control procedures. The scope of this study
was
to
examine the technical feasibility of using adsorption technology for
removing
thimerosal and inorganic mercury from the pharmaceutical wastewater.
Several
adsorbents were selected based on their physical and chemical
properties and
their adsorption affinity for mercury. Batch isotherm and column
studies
were
conducted to determine the most suitable adsorbent for removal of
mercury.
A
pilot plant was designed, constructed, and tested successfully for
treatment
of wastewater from a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The
pharmaceutical company is currently sending their wastewater to be
treated
off
site. By treating the water on site with the pretreatment system, the
cost
is reduced by 95% (a factor of about 20). The system also reduces the
amount
of waste by a factor of 400. About 8400 gallons of wastewater could be
treated by 120 lbs of adsorbent.
Treating the wastewater on site also reduces the liability risk
associated
with transportation of hazardous waste. The pharmaceutical company
plans to
put the system in operation.