Modeling and fouling control in a hybrid membrane process using CuO-catalytic membrane coupled to ozone

Abstract

Membrane filtration methods are prone to significant fouling, which lowers the efficiency of the operation. Hybrid techniques combining ozone and membrane filtration are promising for removing dissolved contaminants and reducing membrane fouling. However, a detailed knowledge of fouling processes is necessary to incorporate these technologies in large-scale water and wastewater treatment plants. Although fouling models for conventional membrane filtration systems are well established in the literature, modeling data for hybrid systems (combining membrane/advanced oxidative processes) with antifouling features are scarce. Therefore, a ceramic α-Al2O3/ZrO2 commercial membrane with a molecular weight cut off of 10 kDa was functionalized applying layer-by-layer deposition of CuO for application in a hybrid system (membrane/catalytic ozonation) to treat contaminated surface water. The findings show that CuO-membranes can mitigate membrane fouling during hybrid processes, enhancing total filtration efficiency in the treatment of surface water. A fitting model that incorporated Hermia’s law as well as surface and bulk reactions that contribute to fouling removal is proposed and was successfully applied. The model allowed parameters to be estimated for the coated and uncoated membranes in the presence or absence of ozone. Membrane reusability was also investigated.