17 Scope of Conventional Versus Advanced Technologies …
395
of the raw material obtained from various sources (Rivera-Utrilla et al. 2013; AlOthman et al. 2012). However, in general, AC has shown good results in the removal
of ECs from water. The use of granular activated carbon (GAC) in an advanced
wastewater reclamation plants showed that it can remove some more different types
of ECs like diclofenac, ibuprofen, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, carbamazepine, caffeine, erythromycin, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), and primidone
drugs from water (Yang et al. 2011).
17.3.2 Biochar
Biochar is obtained from charcoal and is commonly used as a soil amendment.
Unlike other carbon-based materials, biochar is prepared by heating the biomass at
high temperature by the process known as pyrolysis without any oxygen (Xie et al.
2014; Ahmad et al. 2012). In the recent years and days, biochar has been utilized
for adsorption of ECs (Karakoyun et al. 2011; Ji et al. 2011; Teixidó et al. 2011).
Pyrolysis condition is one of the necessary features of biochar production because the
process affects the capability of biochar for ECs adsorption. For instance a species
classified as Arundodonax L which is used as feedstock for biochar production is
used for the removal of sulfamethoxazole. Under similar reaction conditions, the
biochar that was not thermally activated removed 35% of ECs, while by using thermally activated biochar, <16% of ECs removal could be achieved (Zheng et al.
2013). Such type of results can be correlated with the changes caused in acid–base
and hydrophilic–hydrophobic properties of biochar. Such changes can transform
the biomass of feedstock in terms of particle size and porosity which ultimately
influences its capability to remove ECs. The feedstock which is used for biochar
making, considerably influences its treatment effectiveness and selectivity in relation to removal of ECs. A key information in the use of biochar is related to the
sustainability of its making process. The feedstock utilized for biochar production
may be from agricultural waste. However, life cycle examination is essential to confirm that the waste feedstock is only used for conversion to biochar and does not have
any other commendable application. In several cases, biochar production is done in
incapable small-scale kilns which require an input of high energy. A precise evaluation of the carbon footprint linked to biochar production process and recognition of
cleaner production processes is necessary to make sure of its sustainable use.
Inspite of having comparable characteristics, biochar does not perform similar to
AC when used for coupled systems. It may be due to the type of contaminants that
have to be removed by this process and also due to the material which has been used
for biochar production. As biochar possesses different selectivities, it may be more
competent in removal of some of the ECs that are not removed by AC (Mitchell et al.
2015). Hence, the application of biochar in sequentially coupled treatment systems
requires more investigation.
395
of the raw material obtained from various sources (Rivera-Utrilla et al. 2013; AlOthman et al. 2012). However, in general, AC has shown good results in the removal
of ECs from water. The use of granular activated carbon (GAC) in an advanced
wastewater reclamation plants showed that it can remove some more different types
of ECs like diclofenac, ibuprofen, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, carbamazepine, caffeine, erythromycin, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), and primidone
drugs from water (Yang et al. 2011).
17.3.2 Biochar
Biochar is obtained from charcoal and is commonly used as a soil amendment.
Unlike other carbon-based materials, biochar is prepared by heating the biomass at
high temperature by the process known as pyrolysis without any oxygen (Xie et al.
2014; Ahmad et al. 2012). In the recent years and days, biochar has been utilized
for adsorption of ECs (Karakoyun et al. 2011; Ji et al. 2011; Teixidó et al. 2011).
Pyrolysis condition is one of the necessary features of biochar production because the
process affects the capability of biochar for ECs adsorption. For instance a species
classified as Arundodonax L which is used as feedstock for biochar production is
used for the removal of sulfamethoxazole. Under similar reaction conditions, the
biochar that was not thermally activated removed 35% of ECs, while by using thermally activated biochar, <16% of ECs removal could be achieved (Zheng et al.
2013). Such type of results can be correlated with the changes caused in acid–base
and hydrophilic–hydrophobic properties of biochar. Such changes can transform
the biomass of feedstock in terms of particle size and porosity which ultimately
influences its capability to remove ECs. The feedstock which is used for biochar
making, considerably influences its treatment effectiveness and selectivity in relation to removal of ECs. A key information in the use of biochar is related to the
sustainability of its making process. The feedstock utilized for biochar production
may be from agricultural waste. However, life cycle examination is essential to confirm that the waste feedstock is only used for conversion to biochar and does not have
any other commendable application. In several cases, biochar production is done in
incapable small-scale kilns which require an input of high energy. A precise evaluation of the carbon footprint linked to biochar production process and recognition of
cleaner production processes is necessary to make sure of its sustainable use.
Inspite of having comparable characteristics, biochar does not perform similar to
AC when used for coupled systems. It may be due to the type of contaminants that
have to be removed by this process and also due to the material which has been used
for biochar production. As biochar possesses different selectivities, it may be more
competent in removal of some of the ECs that are not removed by AC (Mitchell et al.
2015). Hence, the application of biochar in sequentially coupled treatment systems
requires more investigation.