Plasma Technology for the Future of Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The conventional wastewater treatment used in Puerto Rico cannot remove micropollutants, which are contaminants that occur in low concentrations and are found on Wastewater Treatment Plant effluents, and therefore, are discharged in the receiving water body. These micropollutants include drugs, pesticides, herbicides, Industrial effluent chemicals and personal care products. It has been proven that these micropollutants have negative effects on humans and the environment. This work presents the Plasma technology as an interesting and promising advanced oxidation technology capable of treating wastewater efficiently, and removing the micropollutants mentioned above. Plasma technology has the ability to generate a wide spectrum of oxidative species and processes in proximity of the wastewater, which is ideal for efficient micropollutant decomposition. The investigation has proven that the use of Plasma technology for the treatment of wastewater is a promising technology for the future of wastewater treatment. Key Terms - Advanced Oxidation, Conventional Wastewater Treatment, Micropollutants, Plasma Technology.