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Nguyen DV, Wu D. Recent advances in innovative osmotic membranes for resource enrichment and energy production in wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172153. [PMID: 38580129 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater is a valuable resource that we can no longer afford to overlook. By recovering the nutrients and metals it contains and generating renewable energy, we can not only meet the rising demands for natural resources but also create a more sustainable and resilient future. Forward osmosis (FO) membranes are one of the most intriguing resource recovery process technologies because of their high organic retention, economical energy usage, and straightforward operation. However, the widespread adoption of FO membranes on a full-scale basis is hindered by several issues with previous membrane products. These include limited selectivity to different types of ions, insufficient water flux, and high susceptibility to membrane fouling during extended periods of operation. Hence, it is essential to either invent new FO membranes or modify the existing ones. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive and organized review of up-to-date advancements in the development of innovative osmotic membrane (IOM) materials for resource recovery (RR) and energy production (EP). The paper covers several aspects, including the limitations of current osmotic membrane technologies, a review of new membranes specifically designed for effective RR/EP, their applications in various industrial fields, integrated IOM systems, recent improvements in IOM fabrication processes using artificial intelligence, and a discussion of the challenges and prospects of the potential research. In general, recently developed IOMs have proven to be highly efficient in recovering organics (>99 %), nutrients (>86 %), and precious metals (>90 %). These new membranes have also demonstrated an ability to effectively harvest osmotic energy (with power output ranging from 6 to 38 W/m2) by applied pressure in the range of 8 to 30 bar. These findings suggest that IOMs is promised for efficient resource recovery and renewable energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc Viet Nguyen
- Center for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology (GREAT), Ghent University Global Campus, 119-5 Songdomunhwa-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21985, Republic of Korea; Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource recovery (CAPTURE), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Di Wu
- Center for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology (GREAT), Ghent University Global Campus, 119-5 Songdomunhwa-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21985, Republic of Korea; Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource recovery (CAPTURE), Ghent, Belgium.
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2
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Ilyas A, Vankelecom IFJ. Designing sustainable membrane-based water treatment via fouling control through membrane interface engineering and process developments. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 312:102834. [PMID: 36634445 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Membrane-based water treatment processes have been established as a powerful approach for clean water production. However, despite the significant advances made in terms of rejection and flux, provision of sustainable and energy-efficient water production is restricted by the inevitable issue of membrane fouling, known to be the major contributor to the elevated operating costs due to frequent chemical cleaning, increased transmembrane resistance, and deterioration of permeate flux. This review provides an overview of fouling control strategies in different membrane processes, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, membrane bioreactors, and desalination via reverse osmosis and forward osmosis. Insights into the recent advancements are discussed and efforts made in terms of membrane development, modules arrangement, process optimization, feed pretreatment, and fouling monitoring are highlighted to evaluate their overall impact in energy- and cost-effective water treatment. Major findings in four key aspects are presented, including membrane surface modification, modules design, process integration, and fouling monitoring. Among the above mentioned anti-fouling strategies, a large part of research has been focused on membrane surface modifications using a number of anti-fouling materials whereas much less research has been devoted to membrane module advancements and in-situ fouling monitoring and control. At the end, a critical analysis is provided for each anti-fouling strategy and a rationale framework is provided for design of efficient membranes and process for water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Ilyas
- Membrane Technology Group (MTG), Division cMACS, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Box 2454, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ivo F J Vankelecom
- Membrane Technology Group (MTG), Division cMACS, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Box 2454, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
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Yao X, Gonzales RR, Sasaki Y, Lin Y, Shen Q, Zhang P, Shintani T, Nakagawa K, Matsuyama H. Surface modification of FO membrane for improving ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4+-N) rejection: Investigating the factors influencing NH4+-N rejection. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Sun PF, Yang Z, Song X, Lee JH, Tang CY, Park HD. Interlayered Forward Osmosis Membranes with Ti 3C 2T x MXene and Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Municipal Wastewater Concentration. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13219-13230. [PMID: 34314168 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Forward osmosis (FO) hybrid systems have the potential to simultaneously recover nutrients and water from wastewater. However, the lack of membranes with high permeability and selectivity has limited the development and scale-up of these hybrid systems. In this study, we fabricated a novel thin-film nanocomposite membrane featuring an interlayer of Ti3C2Tx MXene intercalated with carbon nanotubes (M/C-TFNi). Owing to the enhanced confinement effect on interfacial degassing and increased amine monomer sorption by the interlayer, the resulting M/C-TFNi FO membrane has a greater degree of cross-linking and roughness. In comparison with the thin-film composite (TFC) membrane without an interlayered structure, the M/C-TFNi membrane attained a water flux that was four times higher and a lower specific salt flux. Notably, the M/C-TFNi membrane exhibited excellent concentration efficiency for real municipal wastewater and enhanced rejection of ammonia nitrogen, which breaks the permeability-selectivity upper bound. This study provides a new avenue for the rational design and development of high-performance FO membranes for environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Sun
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Song
- Centre for Membrane and Water Science & Technology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, P. R. China
| | - Jeong Hoon Lee
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Chuyang Y Tang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Hee-Deung Park
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
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Vu MT, Nguyen LN, Hasan Johir MA, Zhang X, Nghiem LD, Elimelech M. Biogas sparging to control fouling and enhance resource recovery from anaerobically digested sludge centrate by forward osmosis. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Bao X, She Q, Long W, Wu Q. Ammonium ultra-selective membranes for wastewater treatment and nutrient enrichment: Interplay of surface charge and hydrophilicity on fouling propensity and ammonium rejection. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 190:116678. [PMID: 33279747 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Membrane fouling and ammonium transmembrane diffusion simultaneously pose great challenges in membrane-based pre-concentration of domestic wastewater for efficient subsequent resources recovery (i.e., energy and nutrients). Herein, amine-functionalized osmotic membranes were fabricated by optimizing the grafting pathway of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer to mitigate fouling and ammonium transmembrane diffusion. Compared to the control membrane, the PAMAM-grafted membranes with abundant primary amine groups possessed substantially increased hydrophilicity and positive charges (i.e., protonated primary amines) and thus exhibited superior anti-fouling capability and ammonium selectivity. With further increasing the PAMAM grafting ratio, the membrane exhibited a steady enhancement in ammonium selectivity and eventually achieved an ultra-high ammonium rejection of 99.4%. Nevertheless, the anti-fouling capability of such ammonium ultra-selective membrane was weakened due to the suppression of the adverse impact of excessive positive charges over the beneficial effect of increased surface hydrophilicity. This in turn leads to a drop of ammonium rejection below 90% during domestic wastewater concentration. This study demonstrates that the membrane with a moderate primary amine loading could achieve the highest anti-fouling capability with only less than 10% flux decline and meanwhile maintain an excellent ammonium rejection above 94% during raw domestic wastewater concentration. This work provides theoretical guidance for fabricating simultaneously enhanced anti-fouling and ammonia-rejecting membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Bao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798; Singapore Membrane Technology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637141
| | - Qianhong She
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798; Singapore Membrane Technology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637141.
| | - Wei Long
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798; Singapore Membrane Technology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637141
| | - Qinglian Wu
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China.
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Deng L, Li S, Qin Y, Zhang L, Chen H, Chang Z, Hu Y. Fabrication of antifouling thin-film composite nanofiltration membrane via surface grafting of polyethyleneimine followed by zwitterionic modification. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Ma C, Huang J, Wang L, Zhao B, Zhang Z, Zhang H. Microalgae dewatering using a hybrid dead-end/cross-flow forward osmosis system: Influence of microalgae properties, draw solution properties, and hydraulic conditions. ALGAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2020.101899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Recent advances in functionalized polymer membranes for biofouling control and mitigation in forward osmosis. J Memb Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Research on Forward Osmosis Membrane Technology Still Needs Improvement in Water Recovery and Wastewater Treatment. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w12010107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Forward osmosis (FO) has become an evolving membrane separation technology to recover water due to its strong retention capacity, sustainable membrane fouling, etc. Although a good deal of research has been extensively investigated in the past decades, major challenges still remain as follows: (1) the novel FO membrane material properties, which significantly influence the fouling of the FO membranes, the intolerance reverse solute flux (RSF), the high concentration polarization (CP), and the low permeate flux; (2) novel draw solution preparation and utilization; (3) salinity build-up in the FO system; (4) the successful implementation of the FO process. This work critically reviews the last five years’ literature in development of the novel FO membrane material, structure in modification, and preparation, including comparison and analysis on the traditional and novel draw solutes coupled with their effects on FO performance; application in wastewater treatment, especially hybrid system and integrated FO system; fouling mechanism; and cleaning strategy as discussed in the literature. The current barriers of the research results in each hotspot and the areas that can be improved are also analyzed in detail. The research hotspots in the research and development of the novel membrane materials in various countries and regions have been compared in recent years, and the work of variation in pop research hotspots in the past 10 years has been analyzed and the ideas that fill the blank gaps also have been proposed.
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Wu Q, Guo W, You S, Bao X, Luo H, Wang H, Ren N. Concentrating lactate-carbon flow on medium chain carboxylic acids production by hydrogen supply. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 291:121573. [PMID: 31376665 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Upgrading lactate/carbohydrate-rich waste biomass into medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs) by chain elongation (CE) technology exhibits economic and environmental benefits. However, the largely dispersive lactate-carbon-flow decreases MCCAs yield. This work discovered appropriate H2 supply could significantly reduce lactate-carbon-flow loss and improve MCCAs production (∼1.65 times) when the system is not operated according to well-defined operating conditions, and revealed corresponding mechanism. Hydrogen (H2) supply largely enhanced electron efficiency and electron transfer capacity, and H2 could reduce propionate (from competing acrylate pathway, which should be prevented, but when not possible, the carbon recovery from propionate is possible) to propanol, which was used as electron donor to elongate acetate and propionate. Moreover, H2 could react with CO2 (from CE process) to sequentially generate acetate and ethanol, which further contributed to caproate/caprylate generation. Comparing with non-H2-supplemented test, the lactate-carbon-flow used for MCCAs production was enhanced by ∼28.4% after H2 supply, and Clostridium spp. were the key discriminative microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Wanqian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China.
| | - Shijie You
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Xian Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Haichao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Huazhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Nanqi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
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12
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Recent Progresses of Forward Osmosis Membranes Formulation and Design for Wastewater Treatment. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11102043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Production of potable water or reclaimed water with higher quality are in demand to address water scarcity issues as well as to meet the expectation of stringent water quality standards. Forward osmosis (FO) provides a highly promising platform for energy-efficient membrane-based separation technology. This emerging technology has been recognized as a potential and cost-competitive alternative for many conventional wastewater treatment technologies. Motivated by its advantages over existing wastewater treatment technologies, the interest of applying FO technology for wastewater treatment has increased significantly in recent years. This article focuses on the recent developments and innovations in FO for wastewater treatment. An overview of the potential of FO in various wastewater treatment application will be first presented. The contemporary strategies used in membrane designs and fabrications as well as the efforts made to address membrane fouling are comprehensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges and future outlook of FO for wastewater treatment are highlighted.
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Bao X, Wu Q, Shi W, Wang W, Zhu Z, Zhang Z, Zhang R, Zhang B, Guo Y, Cui F. Dendritic amine sheltered membrane for simultaneous ammonia selection and fouling mitigation in forward osmosis. J Memb Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.04.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Wu Q, Bao X, Guo W, Wang B, Li Y, Luo H, Wang H, Ren N. Medium chain carboxylic acids production from waste biomass: Current advances and perspectives. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:599-615. [PMID: 30849433 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alternative chemicals to diverse fossil-fuel-based products is urgently needed to mitigate the adverse impacts of fossil fuel depletion on human development. To this end, researchers have focused on the production of biochemical from readily available and affordable waste biomass. This is consistent with current guidelines for sustainable development and provides great advantages related to economy and environment. The search for suitable biochemical products is in progress worldwide. Therefore, this review recommends a biochemical (i.e., medium chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs)) utilizing an emerging biotechnological production platform called the chain elongation (CE) process. This work covers comprehensive introduction of the CE mechanism, functional microbes, available feedstock types and corresponding utilization strategies, major methods to enhance the performance of MCCAs production, and the challenges that need to be addressed for practical application. This work is expected to provide a thorough understanding of the CE technology, to guide and inspire researchers to solve existing problems in depth, and motivate large-scale MCCAs production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Xian Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Wanqian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China.
| | - Bing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Yunxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Haichao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Huazhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
| | - Nanqi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, PR China
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