title: Clofibric acid and gemfibrozil removal in membrane bioreactors.
abstract: The removal of two blood lipid regulators, clofibric acid (CLA) and gemfibrozil (GFZ), was evaluated using two identical aerobic membrane bioreactors with 6.5 L effective volume each. Polysulfone ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes were submerged in the reactors. Different operating conditions were tested varying the organic load (F/M), hydraulic residence time (HRT), biomass concentration measured as total suspended solids in the mixed liquor (MLTSS) and the sludge retention time (SRT). Complete GFZ removal was obtained with F/M of 0.21-0.48 kg COD kgTSS⁻¹ d⁻¹, HRT of 4-10 hours, SRT of 10-32 d and MLTSS of 6-10 g L⁻¹. The GFZ removal can be attributed to biodegradation and there was no accumulation of the compound in the biomass. The CLA removals improved with the SRT and HRT increase and F/M decrease. Average removals of 78-79% were obtained with SRT 16-32 d, F/M of 0.21-0.34 kgCOD kgTSS⁻¹ d⁻¹, HRT of 7-10 hours and MLTSS of 6-10 g L⁻¹. Biodegradation was found to be the main removal pathway.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering - Campus Morelos, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 8532, Progreso, Jiutepec, C.P. 62550, Mexico.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-Macias
authors.affiliation: Mexican Institute of Water Technology, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 8532, Progreso, Jiutepec, C.P. 62550, Mexico E-mail: petiam@tlaloc.imta.mx.
authors.forename: Petia Mijaylova
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nacheva
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D002995:Clofibric Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012722:Sewage; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002995:Clofibric Acid; D015248:Gemfibrozil