Pulsed Corona Discharge for Targeted Oxidation of Carbamazepine in Water and Source‐Separated Human Urine

ABSTRACT Pharmaceutical residues in human urine present a critical barrier to its recycling as a circular fertilizer. Gas‐phase pulsed corona discharge (PCD) generating short‐living radicals at the plasma‐liquid interface was applied for targeted and energy‐efficient oxidation of anticonvulsant carbamazepine (CBZ) in urine. In aqueous solution, CBZ was rapidly degraded with energy efficiency reaching 50 g kWh −1 . In real urine, CBZ oxidation was hindered (1.6 g kWh −1 ) by competing endogenous organic compounds consuming reactive species. Complete CBZ oxidation was achieved in urine with no detectable loss of plant‐essential nutrients (urea, ammonia) or chloride. Compared to conventional ozonation, PCD achieved an order of magnitude higher energy efficiency in CBZ oxidation. The study demonstrates PCD as a targeted pharmaceutical degradation method valorizing human urine.