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Khanzada NK, Al-Juboori RA, Khatri M, Ahmed FE, Ibrahim Y, Hilal N. Sustainability in Membrane Technology: Membrane Recycling and Fabrication Using Recycled Waste. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:52. [PMID: 38392679 PMCID: PMC10890584 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Membrane technology has shown a promising role in combating water scarcity, a globally faced challenge. However, the disposal of end-of-life membrane modules is problematic as the current practices include incineration and landfills as their final fate. In addition, the increase in population and lifestyle advancement have significantly enhanced waste generation, thus overwhelming landfills and exacerbating environmental repercussions and resource scarcity. These practices are neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. Recycling membranes and utilizing recycled material for their manufacturing is seen as a potential approach to address the aforementioned challenges. Depending on physiochemical conditions, the end-of-life membrane could be reutilized for similar, upgraded, and downgraded operations, thus extending the membrane lifespan while mitigating the environmental impact that occurred due to their disposal and new membrane preparation for similar purposes. Likewise, using recycled waste such as polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, tire rubber, keratin, and cellulose and their derivates for fabricating the membranes can significantly enhance environmental sustainability. This study advocates for and supports the integration of sustainability concepts into membrane technology by presenting the research carried out in this area and rigorously assessing the achieved progress. The membranes' recycling and their fabrication utilizing recycled waste materials are of special interest in this work. Furthermore, this study offers guidance for future research endeavors aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noman Khalid Khanzada
- NYUAD Water Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raed A Al-Juboori
- NYUAD Water Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muzamil Khatri
- NYUAD Water Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah Ejaz Ahmed
- NYUAD Water Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yazan Ibrahim
- NYUAD Water Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nidal Hilal
- NYUAD Water Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates
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Rehman ZU, Amjad H, Khan SJ, Yasmeen M, Khan AA, Khanzada NK. Performance Evaluation of UF Membranes Derived from Recycled RO Membrane, a Step towards Circular Economy in Desalination. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:628. [PMID: 37504994 PMCID: PMC10385512 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13070628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Reverse osmosis (RO) spiral wound membrane generation reached 93.5% in 2020, resulting in 14,000 tons of used RO membranes being discarded annually into landfills, which is unprecedented. The current study aims to chemically convert the end-of-life RO membrane, followed by its performance evaluation and microbial removal efficiency on three different sources of water, i.e., tap water (TW), integrated constructed wetland permeate (ICW-P), and membrane bio-rector permeate (MBR-P), respectively. This was accomplished by selecting 6 years of spent Filmtech (LC-LE-4040) thin film composite type brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) membrane, followed by alkaline and acidic cleaning for 2 h. Finally, the conversion was carried out by 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with 300,000 ppm/h exposure by active system (AS) using the clean in place CIP pump at 2 bars for 10 h duration. The membrane demonstrated 67% water recovery and 1% saltwater rejection, which means RO membrane now converted into recycled RO (R-RO) or (UF) by removal of the polyamide (PA) layer. Water recovery was 67% for TW, 68% for ICW-P, and 74% for MBR-P, respectively, with the consistent saltwater rejection rate of 1% being observed, while R-RO exhibited an effective COD removal of 65.79%, 62.96%, and 67.72% in TW, ICW-P, and MBR-P, respectively. The highest turbidity removal of 96% in the ICW-P was also recorded for R-RO. For morphological properties, SEM analysis of the R-RO membrane revealed a likewise appearance as a UF membrane, while pore size is also comparable with the UF membrane. The most probable number (MPN) also showed complete removal of total coliforms after passing through the R-RO membrane. These features made the R-RO membrane an excellent choice for drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment polishing steps. This solution can help developing nations to be efficient in resource recovery and contribute to the circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zia Ur Rehman
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering IESE, National University of Sciences and Technology, NUST, Islamabad 24090, Pakistan
| | - Hira Amjad
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering IESE, National University of Sciences and Technology, NUST, Islamabad 24090, Pakistan
| | - Sher Jamal Khan
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering IESE, National University of Sciences and Technology, NUST, Islamabad 24090, Pakistan
| | - Maria Yasmeen
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering IESE, National University of Sciences and Technology, NUST, Islamabad 24090, Pakistan
| | - Aftab Ahmad Khan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
- Creative Engineering Consultants, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan
| | - Noman Khalid Khanzada
- School of Energy and Environment (SEE), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Zhen H, Yan X, Chen C, Liu H, Yang X, Su Y, Yang L, Wang X, Zhang Z. Removal of Fe(III)/Al(III)/Mg(II) by phosphonic group functionalized resin in wet-process phosphoric acid: Mechanism and intrinsic selectivity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27600-2. [PMID: 37209342 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The removal of iron ions (Fe(III)), aluminum ions (Al(III)), and magnesium ions (Mg(II)) in phosphoric acid (H3PO4) solution is vital for the production of H3PO4 and supply of phosphate fertilizer. However, the mechanism and intrinsic selectivity for removal of Fe(III), Al(III), and Mg(II) from wet-process phosphoric acid (WPA) by phosphonic group (-PO3H2) functionalized MTS9500 are still unclear. In this work, the removal mechanisms were determined via combined analysis of FT-IR, XPS, molecular dynamics (MD), and quantum chemistry (QC) simulations based on density functional theory (DFT). The metal-removal kinetics and isotherms were further studied to confirm the removal mechanisms. The results indicate that Fe(III), Al(III), and Mg(II) interact with the -PO3H2 functional groups in MTS9500 resin with sorption energies of -126.22 kJ·mol-1, -42.82 kJ·mol-1, and -12.94 kJ·mol-1, respectively. Moreover, the intrinsic selectivities of the resin for Fe(III), Al(III), and Mg(II) removal were quantified by the selectivity coefficient (Si/j). The SFe(III)/Al(III), SFe(III)/Mg(II) and SAl(III)/Mg(II) are 18.2, 55.1 and 3.02, respectively. This work replenishes sorption theory that can be used in the recycling of electronic waste treatment acid, sewage treatments, hydrometallurgy, and purification of WPA in industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honggang Zhen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuefang Yan
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Chaojiu Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Haozhou Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiuying Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Yingli Su
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Lin Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xinlong Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiye Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, 24 South 1st Section, 1st Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610065, Sichuan, China
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Lejarazu-Larrañaga A, Landaburu-Aguirre J, Senán-Salinas J, Ortiz JM, Molina S. Thin Film Composite Polyamide Reverse Osmosis Membrane Technology towards a Circular Economy. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12090864. [PMID: 36135883 PMCID: PMC9502371 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12090864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
It is estimated that Reverse Osmosis (RO) desalination will produce, by 2025, more than 2,000,000 end-of-life membranes annually worldwide. This review examines the implementation of circular economy principles in RO technology through a comprehensive analysis of the RO membrane life cycle (manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life management). Future RO design should incorporate a biobased composition (biopolymers, recycled materials, and green solvents), improve the durability of the membranes (fouling and chlorine resistance), and facilitate the recyclability of the modules. Moreover, proper membrane maintenance at the usage phase, attained through the implementation of feed pre-treatment, early fouling detection, and membrane cleaning methods can help extend the service time of RO elements. Currently, end-of-life membranes are dumped in landfills, which is contrary to the waste hierarchy. This review analyses up to now developed alternative valorisation routes of end-of-life RO membranes, including reuse, direct and indirect recycling, and energy recovery, placing a special focus on emerging indirect recycling strategies. Lastly, Life Cycle Assessment is presented as a holistic methodology to evaluate the environmental and economic burdens of membrane recycling strategies. According to the European Commission's objectives set through the Green Deal, future perspectives indicate that end-of-life membrane valorisation strategies will keep gaining increasing interest in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jorge Senán-Salinas
- BETA Tech. Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra. de Roda, 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Ortiz
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avenida Punto Com, 2, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Serena Molina
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avenida Punto Com, 2, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
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Bahsaine K, Mekhzoum MEM, Benzeid H, Qaiss AEK, Bouhfid R. Recent Progress in Heavy Metals Extraction From Phosphoric Acid: A Short Review. J IND ENG CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2022.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Mamba FB, Mbuli BS, Ramontja J. Recent Advances in Biopolymeric Membranes towards the Removal of Emerging Organic Pollutants from Water. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:798. [PMID: 34832027 PMCID: PMC8619572 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11110798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Herein, this paper details a comprehensive review on the biopolymeric membrane applications in micropollutants' removal from wastewater. As such, the implications of utilising non-biodegradable membrane materials are outlined. In comparison, considerations on the concept of utilising nanostructured biodegradable polymeric membranes are also outlined. Such biodegradable polymers under considerations include biopolymers-derived cellulose and carrageenan. The advantages of these biopolymer materials include renewability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness when compared to non-biodegradable polymers. The modifications of the biopolymeric membranes were also deliberated in detail. This included the utilisation of cellulose as matrix support for nanomaterials. Furthermore, attention towards the recent advances on using nanofillers towards the stabilisation and enhancement of biopolymeric membrane performances towards organic contaminants removal. It was noted that most of the biopolymeric membrane applications focused on organic dyes (methyl blue, Congo red, azo dyes), crude oil, hexane, and pharmaceutical chemicals such as tetracycline. However, more studies should be dedicated towards emerging pollutants such as micropollutants. The biopolymeric membrane performances such as rejection capabilities, fouling resistance, and water permeability properties were also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feziwe B. Mamba
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa;
| | - Bhekani S. Mbuli
- DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
| | - James Ramontja
- Centre for Nanomaterials Science Research, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa
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