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Yi X, Wang Z, Zhao P, Song W, Wang X. New insights on destruction mechanisms of waste activated sludge during simultaneous thickening and digestion process via forward osmosis membrane. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 254:121378. [PMID: 38430758 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This study delved into the efficacy of sludge digestion and the mechanisms involved in sludge destruction during the implementation of forward osmosis process for sludge thickening and digestion (FO-MSTD). Utilizing a lab-scale FO membrane reactor for the thickening and digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS), the investigation explored the effects of sludge thickening and digestion in FO-MSTD processes using draw solutions of varying concentrations. The findings underscored the significance of hydraulic retention time (HRT) as a pivotal parameter influencing the swift thickening or profound digestion of sludge. Consequently, tailoring the HRT to specific processing objectives emerged as a key strategy for achieving desired treatment outcomes. In the investigation, the use of a 1 M NaCl draw solution in the FO-MSTD process showcased enhanced thickening and digestion capabilities. This specific setup raised the concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) to over 30 g/L and achieved a 42.7% digestion efficiency of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) within an operational timeframe of 18 days. Furthermore, the research unveiled distinct stages in the sludge digestion process of the FO-MSTD system, characterized by fully aerobic digestion and aerobic-local anaerobic co-existing digestion. In the fully aerobic digestion stage, the sludge digestion rate exhibited a steady increase, leading to the breakdown of sludge floc structures and the release of a substantial amount of nutrients into the sludge supernatant. The predominant microorganisms during this stage were typical functional microorganisms found in wastewater treatment systems. Transitioning into the aerobic-local anaerobic co-existing digestion stage, both MLSS concentration and MLVSS digestion efficiency continued to rise, accompanied by a decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. More organic matter was released into the supernatant, and sludge microbial flocs tended to reaggregate. The localized anaerobic environment within the FO-MSTD reactor fostered an increase in the relative abundance of bacteria with nitrogen and phosphorus removal functions, thereby positively impacting the mitigation of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the sludge supernatant. The results of this research enhance comprehension of the advanced FO-MSTD technology in the treatment of WAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiawen Yi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Pin Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Weilong Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Xinhua Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, PR China.
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Yi X, Zhong H, Xie M, Zhao P, Song W, Wang X. Novel insights on fouling mechanism of forward osmosis membrane during deep thickening waste activated sludge. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Al-Sakaji BAK, Al-Asheh S, Maraqa MA. A Review on the Development of an Integer System Coupling Forward Osmosis Membrane and Ultrasound Waves for Water Desalination Processes. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:2710. [PMID: 35808754 PMCID: PMC9269142 DOI: 10.3390/polym14132710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This review considers the forward osmosis (FO) membrane process as one of the feasible solutions for water desalination. Different aspects related to the FO process are reviewed with an emphasis on ultrasound assisted FO membrane processes. The different types of membranes used in FO are also reviewed and discussed; thus, their configuration, structure and applications are considered. Coupling ultrasound with FO enhances water flux through the membrane under certain conditions. In addition, this review addresses questions related to implementation of an ultrasound/FO system for seawater desalination, such as the impact on fouling, flow configuration, and location of fouling. Finally, the mechanisms for the impact of ultrasound on FO membranes are discussed and future research directions are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bara A. K. Al-Sakaji
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (B.A.K.A.-S.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Sameer Al-Asheh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 2666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Munjed A. Maraqa
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (B.A.K.A.-S.); (M.A.M.)
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 1551, United Arab Emirates
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Effects of Operating Conditions on the Performance of Forward Osmosis with Ultrasound for Seawater Desalination. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14132092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of using ultrasound on water flux through a forward osmosis membrane when applied for seawater desalination. A synthetically prepared solution simulating seawater with scaling substances and organic foulants was used. The parameters considered include membrane cross-flow velocity, flow configuration (co-current versus counter-current), direction of ultrasound waves relative to the membrane side (active layer versus support layer), and type of draw solution (NaCl versus MgCl2). The study revealed that applying a continuous ultrasound frequency of 40 kHz was effective in enhancing water flux, especially when the ultrasound source faces the membrane active layer, irrespective of the used draw solution. The highest water flux enhancement (70.8% with NaCl draw solution and 61.9% with MgCl2 draw solution) occurred at low cross-flow velocity and with the ultrasound waves facing the membrane active layer. It was also observed that the use of ultrasound generally caused an adverse effect on the water flux when the ultrasound source faces the membrane support layer. Moreover, applying the ultrasound at the membrane support layer increased the reverse solute flux. For all tested cases, higher water flux enhancement was observed with NaCl as a draw solution compared to the cases when MgCl2 was used as a draw solution.
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Yassari M, Shakeri A, Salehi H. ZIF-67 templated thin-film composite forward osmosis membrane: Importance of incorporation method on morphology and performance. Chem Eng Res Des 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Yi X, Zhong H, Xie M, Wang X. A novel forward osmosis reactor assisted with microfiltration for deep thickening waste activated sludge: performance and implication. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 195:116998. [PMID: 33714909 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Waste activated sludge (WAS) treatment has gained growing interests for its increasingly capacity and high process cost. Sludge thickening is generally the first process of the WAS treatment. However, traditional sludge thickening approach was restrained by large footprint, low thickening efficiency, and tendency of releasing phosphorus. Here, we reported a novel microfiltration (MF) membrane assisting forward osmosis (FO) process (MF-FO) for sludge thickening. The MF-FO reactor achieved a sludge thickening of the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration from approximately 7 to 50 g/L after 10-day operation. More importantly, the effluent quality after FO filtration was superior with total organic carbon (TOC), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) and total phosphorus (TP) of 1.94 ± 0.46, 0.02 ± 0.07, 4.55 ± 1.59 and 0.24 ± 0.26 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, the integration of MF membrane successfully controlled the salinity of the MF-FO reactor in a low range of 1.6-3.1 mS/cm, which mitigated the flux decline of FO membrane and thus prolonged the operating time. In this case, the flux decline of FO membrane in the MF-FO reactor was mainly due to the membrane fouling. Furthermore, the fouling layer on the FO membrane surface was a gel layer mainly composed of biofoulants and organic foulants when the MLSS concentration was less than 30 g/L, while it turned to a cake layer when the MLSS concentration exceeded 30 g/L. Results reported here demonstrated that the MF-FO reactor is a promising WAS thickening technology for its excellent thickening performance and high effluent quality of FO membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiawen Yi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Huihui Zhong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Ming Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Xinhua Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China.
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Wu X, Lau CH, Pramanik BK, Zhang J, Xie Z. State-of-the-Art and Opportunities for Forward Osmosis in Sewage Concentration and Wastewater Treatment. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11050305. [PMID: 33919353 PMCID: PMC8143320 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11050305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The application of membrane technologies for wastewater treatment to recover water and nutrients from different types of wastewater can be an effective strategy to mitigate the water shortage and provide resource recovery for sustainable development of industrialisation and urbanisation. Forward osmosis (FO), driven by the osmotic pressure difference between solutions divided by a semi-permeable membrane, has been recognised as a potential energy-efficient filtration process with a low tendency for fouling and a strong ability to filtrate highly polluted wastewater. The application of FO for wastewater treatment has received significant attention in research and attracted technological effort in recent years. In this review, we review the state-of-the-art application of FO technology for sewage concentration and wastewater treatment both as an independent treatment process and in combination with other treatment processes. We also provide an outlook of the future prospects and recommendations for the improvement of membrane performance, fouling control and system optimisation from the perspectives of membrane materials, operating condition optimisation, draw solution selection, and multiple technologies combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Wu
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Clayton South, VIC 3169, Australia;
| | - Cher Hon Lau
- School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK;
| | | | - Jianhua Zhang
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;
| | - Zongli Xie
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Clayton South, VIC 3169, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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Mahto A, Aruchamy K, Meena R, Kamali M, Nataraj SK, Aminabhavi TM. Forward osmosis for industrial effluents treatment – sustainability considerations. Sep Purif Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Blandin G, Ferrari F, Lesage G, Le-Clech P, Héran M, Martinez-Lladó X. Forward Osmosis as Concentration Process: Review of Opportunities and Challenges. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:membranes10100284. [PMID: 33066490 PMCID: PMC7602145 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the past few years, osmotic membrane systems, such as forward osmosis (FO), have gained popularity as "soft" concentration processes. FO has unique properties by combining high rejection rate and low fouling propensity and can be operated without significant pressure or temperature gradient, and therefore can be considered as a potential candidate for a broad range of concentration applications where current technologies still suffer from critical limitations. This review extensively compiles and critically assesses recent considerations of FO as a concentration process for applications, including food and beverages, organics value added compounds, water reuse and nutrients recovery, treatment of waste streams and brine management. Specific requirements for the concentration process regarding the evaluation of concentration factor, modules and design and process operation, draw selection and fouling aspects are also described. Encouraging potential is demonstrated to concentrate streams more than 20-fold with high rejection rate of most compounds and preservation of added value products. For applications dealing with highly concentrated or complex streams, FO still features lower propensity to fouling compared to other membranes technologies along with good versatility and robustness. However, further assessments on lab and pilot scales are expected to better define the achievable concentration factor, rejection and effective concentration of valuable compounds and to clearly demonstrate process limitations (such as fouling or clogging) when reaching high concentration rate. Another important consideration is the draw solution selection and its recovery that should be in line with application needs (i.e., food compatible draw for food and beverage applications, high osmotic pressure for brine management, etc.) and be economically competitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetan Blandin
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Water, Air and Soil Unit, 08242 Manresa, Spain;
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34090 Montpellier, France; (G.L.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Federico Ferrari
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), 17003 Girona, Spain;
| | - Geoffroy Lesage
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34090 Montpellier, France; (G.L.); (M.H.)
| | - Pierre Le-Clech
- UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
| | - Marc Héran
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34090 Montpellier, France; (G.L.); (M.H.)
| | - Xavier Martinez-Lladó
- Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Water, Air and Soil Unit, 08242 Manresa, Spain;
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Qasim M, Khudhur FW, Aidan A, Darwish NA. Ultrasound-assisted forward osmosis desalination using inorganic draw solutes. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2020; 61:104810. [PMID: 31670249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.104810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Internal concentration polarization (ICP) represents a serious challenge in forward osmosis (FO) desalination since it causes a significant decline in the water flux across the membrane. Mitigation of ICP is cumbersome since the phenomenon occurs within the membrane porous support layer and mitigation procedures such as inducing turbulence or changing the hydrodynamic conditions tend to be ineffective. In this study, the effect of 40 kHz ultrasound on FO desalination of synthesized brackish and seawater was investigated. The studied process utilizes two different inorganic draw solutes (magnesium and copper sulfate) that are available commercially, can generate high osmotic pressures, and can be easily separated from the product water. Different concentrations of the draw solutions were considered. Results show that the applied ultrasound was effective in partially mitigating the ICP effects and enhancing the water flux. Depending on the feed and the draw solution concentration, flux enhancements of up to 34.6% and 43.9% were observed with magnesium sulfate and copper sulfate draw solution, respectively. In addition, it was observed that the effect of ultrasound on flux enhancement was more evident at lower draw solution concentrations. Although water flux was enhanced, ultrasound resulted in an increased reverse draw solute flux across the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Qasim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faisal W Khudhur
- Department of Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Aidan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naif A Darwish
- Department of Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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A novel thin film composite hollow fiber osmotic membrane with one-step prepared dual-layer substrate for sludge thickening. J Memb Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Biofouling Mitigation by Chloramination during Forward Osmosis Filtration of Wastewater. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15102124. [PMID: 30261685 PMCID: PMC6210331 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15102124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pre-concentration is essential for energy and resource recovery from municipal wastewater. The potential of forward osmosis (FO) membranes to pre-concentrate wastewater for subsequent biogas production has been demonstrated, although biofouling has also emerged as a prominent challenge. This study, using a cellulose triacetate FO membrane, shows that chloramination of wastewater in the feed solution at 3⁻8 mg/L residual monochloramine significantly reduces membrane biofouling. During a 96-h pre-concentration, flux in the chloraminated FO system decreased by only 6% and this flux decline is mostly attributed to the increase in salinity (or osmotic pressure) of the feed due to pre-concentration. In contrast, flux in the non-chloraminated FO system dropped by 35% under the same experimental conditions. When the feed was chloraminated, the number of bacterial particles deposited on the membrane surface was significantly lower compared to a non-chloraminated wastewater feed. This study demonstrated, for the first time, the potential of chloramination to inhibit bacteria growth and consequently biofouling during pre-concentration of wastewater using a FO membrane.
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Chanukya BS, Rastogi NK. Ultrasound assisted forward osmosis concentration of fruit juice and natural colorant. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2017; 34:426-435. [PMID: 27773265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The present study deals with the effect of higher and lower molecular weight compounds present in the feed on concentration polarization during forward osmosis concentration and its mitigation by the application of ultrasound. The effects of ultrasound on transmembrane water flux at different forward osmosis membrane orientations and different model feed solutions consisting of sucrose and pectin have also been evaluated. The feed containing sucrose and pectin subjected towards active layer of the membrane was found to be the most suitable orientation. The application of ultrasound (30kHz) significantly reduced the concentration polarization when the feed contains sucrose concentration up to 5%. Whereas, in case of feed containing 0.5% pectin, the ultrasound was not found to be effective in dislodging the gel layer formation resulting in severe external concentration polarization on the membrane surface. In comparison to the ordinary forward osmosis process, the ultrasound-assisted forward osmosis process resulted in higher water fluxes in case of sweet lime juice as well as rose extract containing anthocyanin. The degradation of rose anthocyanin due to ultrasound was found to be 1.82%. Application of ultrasound was found to be an effective way in mitigating concentration polarization on the forward osmosis membrane resulting in increased flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Chanukya
- Department of Food Engineering, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, India; Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 020, India; Aconstituent Laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Navin K Rastogi
- Department of Food Engineering, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, India; Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 020, India; Aconstituent Laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India.
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