Wastewater treatment membranes: Main issues and failures
Nuria Peña García1*, Javier Rodriguez Gómez1, Fernando del Vigo1, Amit Shankhe2
1H2O Innovation Europe S.L.U, C/ Londres 38, 28232 Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain
2H2O Innovation Inc., 1048 La Mirada Court, Vista, CA 92081, USA
*Corresponding author
https://doi.org/10.5004/po2024124
ABSTRACT
Conventional wastewater treatment methods are well established and widely used, as they provide an effective removal of pollutants. Nevertheless, the evolution of membrane technologies has significantly increased the interest and use of advanced treatment technologies as a means to achieve a higher-quality effluent and address emerging contaminants more effectively. In fact, the use of membrane technologies has allowed the treatment of wastewater for reuse with a significant reduction in the size of equipment, energy requirements, and capital cost. The application of membranes for wastewater treatment is not a recent development, as the first membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were developed during the ’70s. During the early 2000s, membrane technologies became more integrated into municipal wastewater plants. Today, membrane technology is a key component of advanced wastewater treatment processes and it is widely used in both industrial and municipal settings to produce high-quality effluent and meet stringent water quality standards. Although the water industry has made commendable efforts to improve membrane technology, it is also important to understand the challenges that may arise in some cases when dealing with complex waters. In addition to operational issues within the facilities, the presence of foulant on membranes surface is one of the most important challenges. Membrane autopsies are the key for the identification of the foulant that may occur on membranes and also provide valuable information to minimize or correct fouling in the most effective way. So the information which can be obtained from membrane autopsies is also a valuable source of information to understand their performance in wastewate treatment. This paper compiles information on typical foulants affecting wastewater treatment membranes, their impact on membrane performance, and other relevant findings identified through the analysis of over 200 wastewater membranes. The aim is to provide practical insights into one of the recurring challenges faced by membranes when treating wastewater.
Keywords: Wastewater; Reuse; Membrane; Autopsy; Foulant
