Application of Hybrid Membrane Processes Coupling Separation and Biological or Chemical Reaction in Advanced Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The rapid urbanization and water shortage impose an urgent need in improving sustainable water management without compromising the socioeconomic development all around the world. In this context, reclaimed wastewater has been recognized as a sustainable water management strategy since it represents an alternative water resource for non-potable or (indirect) potable use. The conventional wastewater remediation approaches for the removal of different emerging contaminants (pharmaceuticals, dyes, metal ions, etc.) are unable to remove/destroy them completely. Hybrid membrane processes (HMPs) are a powerful solution for removing emerging pollutants from wastewater. On this aspect, the present paper focused on HMPs obtained by the synergic coupling of biological and/or chemical reaction driven processes with membrane processes, giving a critical overview and particular emphasis on some case studies reported in the pertinent literature. By using these processes, a satisfactory quality of treated water can be achieved, permitting its sustainable reuse in the hydrologic cycle while minimizing environmental and economic impact.

An Overview on Composite Sorbents Based on Polyelectrolytes Used in Advanced Wastewater Treatment

“…In this review we took under consideration principal types of composite based on polyelectrolytes which are capable to remove pollutants only by sorptive mechanisms. Because of the large number of reviews published in the field of membranes used in water cleaning [18,[135][136][137][138][139][140][141], in this review only some pollutant sorptive composite polyelectrolyte membranes will be exemplified. Sorptive membranes have the same sorption capacity as sorbents, therefore they are known as membrane sorbents (chelating, complexation, and ion exchange membranes) with affinity for heavy metal ions and organic molecules [142].…”

Techno-economic assessment of a membrane-based wastewater reclamation process

“…Research efforts have been conducted to develop new technologies and improve conventional treatments to provide quality water in a sustainable way [3,4]. Desalination and wastewater reclamation for further reuse have been highlighted as the main alternatives to procure water for different uses [5][6][7]. The large volumes of wastewater generated, because of the high consumption of water in households and industry, makes reclaimed water to appear as an important source of freshwater.…”

“…With such perspective, membrane technology is widely applied as advanced technology for water treatment, because it has the ability to remove to very low concentration levels non-desirable compounds from wastewater and can offer new opportunities compared to conventional treatments [6,10,11]. Other advanced treatment technologies have also been applied, like electrochemistry-based technologies, such as electrooxidation, electro-reduction, electro-coagulation or electrodialysis [12][13][14].…”

“…In this sense, integrated membrane processes can offer the best solution in terms of efficiency of pollutants separation, performance, fouling control and cost [6]. Multiple-step processes or integrated processes combining biological, electrochemical and membrane based technologies are essential to improve the performance and purity of the water product [15].…”

Plasma‐Assisted Deposition of TiO2 3D Nanomembranes: Selective Wetting, Superomniphobicity, and Self‐Cleaning

“…[9] In some cases, it acts as a repellent or shield from pollutants in suspension whereas in other cases, the membrane can be an extracting agent for harmful substances or promoting the transport of degradation compounds. [10] To evaluate the functionality of a membrane, the material, pore size, geometry, and distribution, as well as other physical-chemical properties such as density and surface tension, must be taken into account. [11] For microfluidics, nanodevices are employed thanks to a high response rate working in both passive and active modes of separation techniques.…”