Pharmaceutical molecules identified in the wastewater
belong to
several classes of antibiotics such as marbofloxacin (MBX). This study
focuses on the immobilization of MBX by adsorption in batch scale
and a fixed-bed column of granular activated carbon (GAC). The effects
of significant operational parameters, such as adsorbent dosage, contact
time, and pH, on the adsorption efficiency were investigated. After
this, a fixed-bed column study was carried out to evaluate the behavior
of breakthrough curves, adsorption capacity, and bed saturation. Additionally,
a novel strategy was incorporated that uses Monte Carlo Bayesian modeling
to improve the ability to predict the most suitable conditions of
the process. Results showed a high efficiency of MBX removal by the
methods used where the most suitable conditions for batch scale were
at natural pH, a GAC mass of 1.5 g, and 60 min of contact time for
about 80% removal. Regarding fixed bed column experiments that were
evidenced, the impact of the initial MBX concentration on the breakthrough
curve impacted the adsorbent’s saturation rate, generating
changes in the concentration gradient. In addition to the experimental
data analysis, the model applied to simulate the breakthrough curves
showed be robust, and it was capable of making good predictions, given
that the lowest coefficient of determination (R
2) was 0.85. The mass balance model used was validated and
was able to make good predictions when compared with the experimental
data, so it can be used to make inferences about the breakthrough
curve under different operating conditions within the range in which
the experiments were carried out.