TEVA photo-oxidation technology

Together with TEVA Plc., a pharmaceutical manufacturer, we investigated options for the removal of pharmaceutical residues at its Debrecen production site. A photo-oxidation technology was tested in a standard industrial container equipped with six reactors and a total treatment capacity of 100 m³/day. Using this system, the effluent of the site’s industrial wastewater pre-treatment plant—also incorporating a biological stage (MBR)—was treated over a six-month period.

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A total of forty samples were taken from the treated wastewater leaving the container under different photo-oxidation operating settings. All samples were analyzed for 34 different pharmaceutical active ingredients using GC-MS methodology.

The results demonstrated the suitability of photo-oxidation for the degradation of persistent pharmaceutical compounds. The technology achieved removal efficiencies of 70–90% for several active ingredients, including the highly hazardous tacrolimus.

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In parallel with the on-site pilot tests, the performance of a smaller, single-reactor, so-called large-laboratory-scale (6 m³/day) photo-oxidation unit was also evaluated. Based on the results, it was confirmed that the technology is suitable for further scale-up and industrial application, both for the removal of residual organic matter and for disinfection purposes, including the potential for in-plant reuse and recirculation of the treated water.