Performance of hydrodynamic cavitation and CoWO4 photocatalyst in the activation of peracetic acid and peroxymonosulfate for cloxacillin removal

This study aimed to explore the performance of a combined approach involving hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) and the cobalt tungstate (CoWO₄) photocatalyst for the activation of peracetic acid [1] and peroxymonosulfate (PMS), targeting the efficient removal of the antibiotic cloxacillin (CLX) from aqueous environments. The assessment of CLX degradation experiments was conducted by examining various operational parameters. Results indicated that the CLX degradation rate was directly proportional to the PMS concentration, PAA dosage, and cavitation inlet pressure. Under optimal conditions (pH: 7, initial CLX concentration: 10 mg/L, CoWO₄ load: 0.3 g/L, PMS concentration: 0.4 mmol/L, PAA dosage: 200 μmol/L, and cavitation inlet pressure: 4.0 bar), the degradation of CLX reached 95.68 % and 98.93 % after 60 min in the HC+UVC+CoWO₄+PMS and HC+UVC+CoWO₄+PAA processes, respectively. A preliminary cost estimation of the treatment processes indicated total expenses of approximately 186.67 USD/m³ (about 168,004,000 IRR/m³) for the HC and CoWO₄ photocatalyst system with PMS activation, and 187.74 USD/m³ (about 168,972,000 IRR/m³) for the HC and CoWO₄ photocatalyst system with PAA activation, demonstrating their economic feasibility for potential industrial applications. Overall, the HC+UVC+CoWO₄+PMS and HC+UVC+CoWO₄+PAA approaches provide an efficient and cost-effective strategy of degrading and mineralizing of persistent organic contaminants in aquatic environments.