When discussing pharmaceuticals, it is a well-known fact that medication is essential for treating illnesses, which necessitates the continuous operation of the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical sector primarily encompasses chemical synthesis-based pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicine, and biopharmaceuticals, characterized by a wide variety of complex products. Consequently, the wastewater generated from pharmaceutical production exhibits significant instability in its component proportions, along with a complex composition, high concentrations of toxic and hazardous substances, intense coloration, poor biodegradability, and high levels of degradation products. These issues collectively result in fluctuations in both the quality and quantity of the wastewater. Therefore, effective treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater is imperative to ensure water quality safety. The following section outlines the solutions for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.
Different pharmaceutical enterprises vary in terms of raw materials, wastewater volume, and required treatment levels, so the treatment methods employed may differ accordingly. Generally, these methods can be categorized into physical, chemical, and biological approaches. Based on the principles of these methods, it is clear that biological treatment cannot be directly applied for wastewater discharge. Instead, physical and chemical methods should first be used for pretreatment to enhance biodegradability and reduce toxicity. Subsequently, biological treatment is implemented until all indicators of the wastewater meet the required standards, as verified by water quality analyzers.
For instance, the micro-electrolysis-Fenton system can be utilized for treatment. The process involves sequential steps: micro-electrolysis reaction, Fenton reaction, and neutralization-precipitation. This integrated process addresses issues such as high COD, high nitrogen, high salinity, high phosphorus, and deep coloration in pharmaceutical wastewater. After the wastewater treatment process is completed, staff conduct tests on the aforementioned indicators to confirm whether the treated wastewater meets safety standards. Only after such confirmation is the wastewater permitted for discharge.
In addition to the above indicators, TOC (Total Organic Carbon) monitoring and analysis of water quality in pharmaceutical factories are of great importance. TOC online analyzers should be installed at each station to monitor the TOC levels of source water, purified water, injection water, and wastewater, thereby facilitating effective water quality monitoring and management.
