Submit to Membranes Review for Membranes Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2022) | Viewed by 20706

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif Shahid

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Research Institute of Environment & Biosystem, Department of Environmental Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
Interests: membrane-based processes; CO₂ capture; storage & utilization; materials synthesis; functional materials; renewable energy; resource recovery; irradiation chemistry; heavy metals remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Membranes play a significant role in providing innovative, profitable, eco-friendly, and sustainable separation technologies for water and wastewater treatment. The quality of pre-treated water gives rise to opportunities for continuous advancements in terms of system design and configuration, in-process challenges, and productivity, with respect to environmental and economic perspectives. Scientists and engineers are also working on integrated approaches, containing a combination of two or more membrane-based systems, and/or other technologies for water and wastewater treatment.

This Special Issue aims to attract submissions of research and review articles emphasizing the scientific and engineering aspects of membrane-based water treatment, including, but not limited to, the following themes:

Advances in membrane material and system configurations;
Advances in membrane technologies for water and wastewater treatment;
Membrane transport phenomena;
Pressure-driven membrane process;
Membrane bioreactors;
Integrated water and wastewater treatment systems;
Desalination;
Membrane technologies and energy perspectives;
Fouling issues and antifouling strategies;
Green antiscalants.

Dr. Muhammad Kashif Shahid
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

water reuse, recycling, and reclamation
membrane bioreactors
environmental remediation
membrane fouling
membrane modification
integrated membrane water treatment
renewable energy-driven membrane technologies

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 5199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CO₂ as an Alternative to Traditional Antiscalants in Pressure-Driven Membrane Processes: An Experimental Study of Lab-Scale Operation and Cleaning Strategies

by Muhammad Kashif Shahid and Younggyun Choi

Membranes 2022, 12(10), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12100918 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1880

Abstract

Scaling, or inorganic fouling, is a major factor limiting the performance of membrane-based water treatment processes in long-term operation. Over the past few decades, extensive studies have been conducted to control the scale growth found in membrane processes and to develop sustainable and greener processes. This study details the role of CO₂ in scale inhibition in membrane processes. The core concept of CO₂ utilization is to reduce the influent pH and to minimize the risk of scale formation from magnesium or calcium salts. Three reverse osmosis (RO) units were operated with a control (U1), CO₂ (U2), and a commercial antiscalant, MDC-220 (U3). The performances of all the units were compared in terms of change in transmembrane pressure (TMP). The overall efficiency trend was found as U1 > U3 > U2. The membrane surfaces were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for the morphological and elemental compositions, respectively. The surface analysis signified a significant increase in surface smoothness after scale deposition. The noticeable reduction in surface roughness can be described as a result of ionic deposition in the valley region. A sludge-like scale layer was found on the surface of the control membrane (U1) which could not be removed, even after an hour of chemical cleaning. After 20–30 min of cleaning, the U2 membrane was successfully restored to its original state. In brief, this study highlights the sustainable membrane process developed via CO₂ utilization for scale inhibition, and the appropriate cleaning approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2821 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Solar Photocatalytic Membranes: An Experimental and Artificial Neural Network Modeling Approach for Niflumic Acid Degradation

by Lamine Aoudjit, Hugo Salazar, Djamila Zioui, Aicha Sebti, Pedro Manuel Martins and Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez

Membranes 2022, 12(9), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12090849 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1575

Abstract

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), such as pharmaceuticals, in water sources is one of the main concerns nowadays due to their hazardous properties causing severe effects on human health and ecosystem biodiversity. Niflumic acid (NFA) is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug, and it is known for its non-biodegradability and resistance to chemical and biological degradation processes. In this work, a 10 wt.% TiO₂/PVDF–TrFE nanocomposite membrane (NCM) was prepared by the solvent casting technique, fully characterized, and implemented on an up-scaled photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). The photocatalytic activity of the NCM was evaluated on NFA degradation under different experimental conditions, including NFA concentration, pH of the media, irradiation time and intensity. The NCM demonstrated a remarkable photocatalytic efficiency on NFA degradation, as efficiency of 91% was achieved after 6 h under solar irradiation at neutral pH. The NCM proved effective in long-term use, with maximum efficiency losses of 7%. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was designed to model NFA’s photocatalytic degradation behavior, demonstrating a good agreement between experimental and predicted data, with an R² of 0.98. The relative significance of each experimental condition was evaluated, and the irradiation time proved to be the most significant parameter affecting the NFA degradation efficiency. The designed ANN model provides a reliable framework l for modeling the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/PVDF-TrFE and related NCM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 3438 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scale Up and Validation of Novel Tri-Bore PVDF Hollow Fiber Membranes for Membrane Distillation Application in Desalination and Industrial Wastewater Recycling

by Weikun Paul Li, Aung Thet Paing, Chin Ann Chow, Marn Soon Qua, Karikalan Mottaiyan, Kangjia Lu, Adil Dhalla, Tai-Shung Chung and Chakravarthy Gudipati

Membranes 2022, 12(6), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12060573 - 30 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1766

Abstract

Novel tri-bore polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes (TBHF) were scaled-up for fabrication on industrial-scale hollow fiber spinning equipment, with the objective of validating the membrane technology for membrane distillation (MD) applications in areas such as desalination, resource recovery, and zero liquid discharge. The membrane chemistry and spinning processes were adapted from a previously reported method and optimized to suit large-scale production processes with the objective of translating the technology from lab scale to pilot scale and eventual commercialization. The membrane process was successfully optimized in small 1.5 kg batches and scaled-up to 20 kg and 50 kg batch sizes with good reproducibility of membrane properties. The membranes were then assembled into 0.5-inch and 2-inch modules of different lengths and evaluated in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) mode, as well as vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) mode. The 0.5-inch modules had a permeate flux >10 L m⁻² h⁻¹, whereas the 2-inch module flux dropped significantly to <2 L m⁻² h⁻¹ according to testing with 3.5 wt.% NaCl feed. Several optimization trials were carried out to improve the DCMD and VMD flux to >5 L m⁻² h⁻¹, whereas the salt rejection consistently remained ≥99.9%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Operation of Hybrid Membranes for the Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Pollutants from Water and Wastewater

by Mónica Vergara-Araya, Henning Oeltze, Jenny Radeva, Anke Gundula Roth, Christian Göbbert, Robert Niestroj-Pahl, Lars Dähne and Jürgen Wiese

Membranes 2022, 12(5), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12050502 - 8 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2538

Abstract

Hybrid ceramic membranes (i.e., membranes with a layer-by-layer (LbL) coating) are an emerging technology to remove diverse kinds of micropollutants from water. Hybrid ceramic membranes were tested under laboratory conditions as single-channel (filter area = 0.00754 m²) and multi-channel (0.35 m²) variants for the removal of pharmaceuticals (sulfamethoxazole, diclofenac, clofibric acid, and ibuprofen) and typical wastewater pollutants (i.e., COD, TOC, PO₄-P, and TN) from drinking water and treated wastewater. The tests were conducted with two low transmembrane pressures (TMP) of 2 and 4 bar and constant temperatures and flow velocities, which showed rejections above 80% for all the tested pharmaceuticals as well for organic pollutants and phosphorous in the treated wastewater. Tests regarding sufficient cleaning regimes also showed that the LbL coating is stable and resistant to pHs between 2 and 10 with the use of typical cleaning agents (citric acid and NaOH) but not to higher pHs, a commercially available enzymatic solution, or backwashing. The hybrid membranes can contribute to the advanced treatment of water and wastewater with low operational costs, and their application at a larger scale is viable. However, the cleaning of the membranes must be further investigated to assure the stability and durability of the LbL coating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2756 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Sustainable Membrane-Based Wastewater Reclamation Employing CO₂ to Impede an Ionic Precipitation and Consequent Scale Progression onto the Membrane Surfaces

by Muhammad Kashif Shahid and Younggyun Choi

Membranes 2021, 11(9), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11090688 - 6 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3193

Abstract

CO₂ capture and utilization (CCU) is a promising approach in controlling the global discharge of greenhouse gases (GHG). This study details the experimental investigation of CO₂ utilization in membrane-based water treatment systems for lowering the potential of ionic precipitation on membrane surface and subsequent scale development. The CO₂ utilization in feed water reduces the water pH that enables the dissociation of salts in their respective ions, which leave the system as a concentrate. This study compares the efficiency of CO₂ and other antifouling agents (CA-1, CA-2, and CA-3) for fouling control in four different membrane-based wastewater reclamation operations. These systems include Schemes 1, 2, 3, and 4, which were operated with CA-1, CA-2, CA-3, and CO₂ as antiscalants, respectively. The flux profile and percent salt rejection achieved in Scheme 4 confirmed the higher efficiency of CO₂ utilization compared with other antifouling agents. This proficient role of CO₂ in fouling inhibition is further endorsed by the surface analysis of used membranes. The SEM, EDS, and XRD examination confirmed the higher suitability of CO₂ utilization in controlling scale deposition compared with other antiscalants. The cost estimation also supported the CO₂ utilization for environmental friendly and safe operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 3090 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Membrane Biofouling: Prediction, Characterization, and Mitigation

by Nour AlSawaftah, Waad Abuwatfa, Naif Darwish and Ghaleb A. Husseini

Membranes 2022, 12(12), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12121271 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4205

Abstract

Water scarcity is an increasing problem on every continent, which instigated the search for novel ways to provide clean water suitable for human use; one such way is desalination. Desalination refers to the process of purifying salts and contaminants to produce water suitable for domestic and industrial applications. Due to the high costs and energy consumption associated with some desalination techniques, membrane-based technologies have emerged as a promising alternative water treatment, due to their high energy efficiency, operational simplicity, and lower cost. However, membrane fouling is a major challenge to membrane-based separation as it has detrimental effects on the membrane’s performance and integrity. Based on the type of accumulated foulants, fouling can be classified into particulate, organic, inorganic, and biofouling. Biofouling is considered the most problematic among the four fouling categories. Therefore, proper characterization and prediction of biofouling are essential for creating efficient control and mitigation strategies to minimize the damage associated with biofouling. Moreover, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting membrane fouling has garnered a great deal of attention due to its adaptive capability and prediction accuracy. This paper presents an overview of the membrane biofouling mechanisms, characterization techniques, and predictive methods with a focus on AI-based techniques, and mitigation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

46 pages, 7714 KiB

Open AccessReview

Knowledge and Technology Used in Capacitive Deionization of Water

by Kamran Salari, Payam Zarafshan, Morteza Khashehchi, Gholamreza Chegini, Hamed Etezadi, Hamed Karami, Joanna Szulżyk-Cieplak and Grzegorz Łagód

Membranes 2022, 12(5), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12050459 - 24 Apr 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3619

Abstract

The demand for water and energy in today’s developing world is enormous and has become the key to the progress of societies. Many methods have been developed to desalinate water, but energy and environmental constraints have slowed or stopped the growth of many. Capacitive Deionization (CDI) is a very new method that uses porous carbon electrodes with significant potential for low energy desalination. This process is known as deionization by applying a very low voltage of 1.2 volts and removing charged ions and molecules. Using capacitive principles in this method, the absorption phenomenon is facilitated, which is known as capacitive deionization. In the capacitive deionization method, unlike other methods in which water is separated from salt, in this technology, salt, which is a smaller part of this compound, is separated from water and salt solution, which in turn causes less energy consumption. With the advancement of science and the introduction of new porous materials, the use of this method of deionization has increased greatly. Due to the limitations of other methods of desalination, this method has been very popular among researchers and the water desalination industry and needs more scientific research to become more commercial. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Future Avenues)

► Show Figures