VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3, JANUARY 20251

Abstract :- A study was conducted to investigate the degradation of Prazosin, an Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blocker, which is commonly used in the treatment of Hypertension. The study aimed to achieve improved efficiency using Hydrodynamic Cavitation (HC) and Process Intensification. A new cavitation technique that utilises the Dual Activity Reactor, which is a vortex flow-based cavitation device, was introduced in the study. Two different types of vortex diodes were used in a comparative investigation: a Non-Catalytic Aluminium diode and a Dual Activity Copper diode exhibiting catalytic properties. The impact of pressure on Prazosin degradation and mineralisation was studied on a pilot-plant scale with a capacity of 1 m3/h. Process Intensification was carried out by Aeration, Hydrogen Peroxide, and pH modification. The results showed that aeration produced significant degradation (~18% degradation) using the Cu-Vortex Diode compared to the Al-Diode. The use of H2O2 resulted in complete (100%) degradation of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) pollutant within just 5 minutes of treatment. Effective mineralisation of ~55% was obtained with the Cu-Diode, whereas only 34% was obtained with the Al-Diode. The development of Hydrodynamic Cavitation technology, with the incorporation of a Dual Activity Reactor-Cu Vortex Diode as a cavitation device, represents a remarkable breakthrough in the field of industrial wastewater treatment. This technology can provide an efficient and practical solution to remove various API pollutants, thereby reducing the environmental impact of industrial activities. The potential benefits of this technology for the industry are immense, opening up a world of possibilities for cleaner and more sustainable industrial practices.

Author :- Sanjana V. Almeida, Divya Dixit, Dinesh Bhutada, Vinay M. Bhandari
Email:- vm.bhandari@ncl.res.in

DOI :      https://doi.org/10.59143/isas.jisas.3.3.SJPL9246           Pages :- 1-25