Ultrasound assisted destruction of estrogen hormones in aqueous solution: effect of power density, power intensity and reactor configuration

There are many reports documenting the adverse effects, such as feminization of fish, of estrogen hormones in the environment. One of the major sources of these compounds is from municipal wastewater effluents. The biological processes at municipal wastewater treatment plants cannot completely remove these compounds. This paper discusses the use of ultrasound to destroy estrogen compounds in water. The study examines the effect of ultrasound power density and power intensity on the destruction of various estrogen compounds which include: 17alpha-estradiol, 17beta-estradiol, estrone, estriol, equilin, 17alpha-dihydroequilin, 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel. These tests were conducted in single component batch and flow through reactors using 0.6, 2 and 4kW ultrasound sources. The sonolysis process produced 80-90% destruction of individual estrogens at initial concentration of 10microg/L within 40-60min of contact time. First order rate constants for the individual compounds under different conditions are presented. The estrogen degradation rates increase with increase in power intensity. However, the energy efficiency of the reactor was higher at lower power density. The 4kW ultrasound reactor was more energy efficient compared to the 0.6 and 2kW sonicators.