Emerging membrane technology and hybrid treatment systems for the removal of micropollutants from wastewater

Abstract

Currently, substances have been detected that have always been present but have long been unnoticed; among these substances called emerging pollutants are pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cosmetics, cleaning, and personal care products, among others. Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology has gained extensive popularity in enhancing the treatment and reutilization of wastewater. It exhibits efficiencies ranging from 40 to 79 % for treating high organic loads such as dairy wastewater while achieving impressive rates of up to 90 % for effectively removing emerging contaminants. However, traditional MBRs with ultrafiltration or porous microfiltration membranes are not intended to remove hazardous micropollutants from water, which are constantly present in trace concentrations and can adversely affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Several effective techniques have been used to remove hazardous micropollutants from water, especially for hydrophilic and resistant chemicals. These tactics consist mainly of improving the operating environment, using high-retention membranes instead of porous membranes, adding functional materials to the bioreactor, and including additional procedures for effluent treatment. To ensure almost complete removal of micropollutants, the MBR can be complemented with effluent treatment, recently the use of high retention membranes, hybrid MBR-nanofiltration systems, or other processes such as electrocoagulation or advanced oxidation (AOP) have been reported. Nevertheless, additional investigation is required to assess these strategies' technical and economic viability, particularly regarding real-time effectiveness. This evaluation is crucial for identifying the most appropriate techniques for industrial applications.