Separación de sulfametoxazol y ciprofloxacina de soluciones acuosas preparadas en laboratorio, utilizando tecnología de membranas

Abstract

In the present research project, the effectiveness of nanofiltration membranes (YMDKSP1905) and reverse osmosis (YMAGSP1905) in the separation of two drugs sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin was evaluated; also analyze the effect of pH and transmembrane pressure in the drug removal process. For experimentation, the SEPA CF II cross-flow membrane cell was used. Each of the membranes used were characterized, circulating pure water inside the system at different pressures 15, 12, 10, 5 bar and taking the flow rate every 20 minutes, for 1 hour and 40 minutes for each pressure tested; thus, obtaining the coefficient of permeability. The effectiveness of the membranes to remove the drugs in solutions of approximately 5 ppm adjusted to a working pH of 5, 7 and 9 was evaluated; the samples being quantified by HPLC chromatography. The recirculation process is carried out in a time of 3 hours. Based on the response surfaces carried out, it was possible to determine that the optimal operating values for the removal of SMX in water or mixed with CPX in water using RO are pH = 7 and P = 10 bar; and using NF are: pH = 9 and P = 15 bar; conditions under which the highest percentages of rejection were reached. The statistical analysis of the results obtained showed that the pH of the solution strongly influences the drug removal process and the simulations carried out in SuperPro Designer yielded results like those obtained in the laboratory, with an absolute error of less than 5%, in each simulated case. Finally, the preliminary estimate of investment and operation costs of the removal process are $1797480.6 and $ 8720.0, respectively, denoting that equipment costs and direct operating costs are the most influential in this drug removal process.