Abstract
An aerated membrane reactor (25 L working volume) equipped with 1.5 m2 hollow-fiber module was designed and operated using synthetic greywater for household water reuse. Activated sludge (MBR), activated carbon (PAC), zeolite (ZEO) and iron hydroxide (GEH) were added in separate experiments to optimize membrane hydraulic performance and removal efficiency of organics. The use of additives improved permeate quality (in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand—COD) compared to the direct membrane filtration mode of operation. GEH and MBR were efficient for phosphorus removal, which was not the case for PAC and ZEO. No significant improvement of membrane flux was recorded when PAC, ZEO or GEH were added inside the membrane tank. The MBR system displayed optimum performance during medium-term operation, with COD removal efficiency 85% and permeate flux between 40 and 25 L m−2 h−1. The capital costs of the proposed technology were around 300 € and the operational costs below 80 € yr−1, rendering the process feasible at household level. Greywater treatment systems for household applications are still on their infancy; however, this trend is expected to change due public perception towards circular economy, water conservation and reuse.
Highlights
Large-scale utilization of greywater as a renewable source of water will be clearly boosted by the penetration of micro-scale treatment systems at household level
The aim of this study is to develop a micro-scale household greywater treatment system, based on the membrane reactor technology, for possible installation under the wash basin or kitchen sink
Considering the frequency of water usage, it becomes evident that greywater inside the household is generated within 15 to 45 min
Summary
Large-scale utilization of greywater as a renewable source of water will be clearly boosted by the penetration of micro-scale treatment systems at household level. Apart from manual collection of lightly polluted greywater (e.g., by using a bucket or bowl inside the wash basin) for reuse in toilet flushing or gardening, commercial treatment systems for household applications are still in their infancy. This trend; is expected to change due to the promotion of the circular economic model worldwide. Rational water management is among the most promising options to strategically plan climate change mitigation and adaptation [1] On this basis, it is crucial to put forward technologies to exploit the greywater generated at household level. Sewage will be less diluted, enabling the implementation of waste-to-energy technologies at centralized treatment plants [7,8]
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