Innovations in MF/UF membrane technologies: Development and scale-up of electrically conductive membrane coatings and recycled membranes for wastewater reuse

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The proposed research aims to develop innovations in membrane technologies and accelerate those innovations to the pilot-scale for industrial applicability. The project is divided into three components: 1. Electrically conductive membranes to prevent surface fouling 2. Recycling fouled membranes for non-potable reuse applications and 3. Material scale-up and pilot-scale testing of both. In part 1, the focus is on operating conditions of electrically conductive anti-fouling membranes. We will evaluate the anti-colloidal and anti-biofouling capabilities of electrically conductive MF and UF membranes, synthesized from several established techniques in the de Lannoy lab. We will further investigate how operating conditions (applied voltage strength, polarity, frequency) impact the anti-fouling abilities of electrically conductive membranes and develop models to predict the optimal operating conditions. In part 2, the focus is on membrane material modifications. Fouled membranes will be recycled and reused by etching old/used microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane surfaces. These fouled, etched and recycled membranes will be used to separate municipal wastewaters. The permeate will be treated with UV disinfection and the product water will be evaluated for viability in non-potable reuse applications. In part 3 of the proposed research we will focus on investigating scaling-up of electrically conductive and recycled membranes. We will establish methods to scale up electrically conductive membranes for applications in Pall's membrane production line. Scale-up production includes co-extrusion coating techniques to coat MF and UF membranes with electrically conductive surface layers. We will also recycle fouled membrane modules and use them in the pilot scale systems currently at the Greenway wastewater treatment plant operated by Trojan. We will couple the effluent from the recycled membrane modules to inline UV disinfection and assess the water quality for its applicability to non-potable reuse applications.