Advanced analysis and computational modeling of drug removal used in treatments for COVID-19 with low-cost adsorbents

The Covid-19 Pandemia triggered a number of consequences, including the presence of drugs in wastewater such as analgesics, antipyretics and antibiotics. These pollutants were released and still released in the environment, representing a concern due to their continuous discharge that causes their accumulation and increases the risk to human health and the environment. While several processes have been studied to remove water drugs, most of them use commercial or nanomaterial actuals of high complexity and cost. The objective of this project is to analyze the removal of these drugs through adsorption processes using low -cost adsorbents, such as agricultural waste, biocarbons and clays. An experimental study will be carried out to know the process and the variables that influence it. The data to mathematical models that allow predicting the type of adsorption and kinetics and balance of each process will be adapted. The computational study will allow calculating union free energies in the adsorption process, allowing to evaluate and compare the results obtained for each drug and each adsorbent; Which can describe the link interactions at the molecular level between adsorbents and adsorbats. From the results obtained, a mathematical model will be proposed that reproduces the experimental conditions and that can be used as a tool for the design of operations at the industrial level. The data obtained will be used to determine the relative dimensions for equipment at an industrial and commercial scale.

20th UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION