Advanced wastewater treatment using functionalized membranes

Mohammed Z. Al-Abri

Nanotechnology Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
email: alabri@squ.edu.om

(2025) 275–276
https://doi.org/10.5004.dsal.2025.700111

Abstract

Membranes play a crucial role in water treatment and desalination, offering an essential solution to meet the increasing global demand for clean water. The versatility of polymeric membranes in terms of fabrication processes, membrane properties, and applications makes them incredibly well-suited for various wastewater treatment applications. Their adaptability allows for tailored designs and optimization to specific water treatment challenges. Moreover, the recent advancements in electrospun nanofiber polymeric membranes (ENMs) have revolutionized membrane technology, presenting exciting opportunities to enhance the performance of membranes in produced water treatment greatly. The development of ENMs has opened up new avenues for improved filtration efficiency, enhanced water permeability, and increased resistance to fouling, addressing the unique challenges posed by wastewater treatment. These innovative membranes hold significant promise in overcoming the limitations of conventional membrane technologies and advancing the field of water treatment. Oil and gas-produced wastewater, or oilfield wastewater, is the wastewater generated during oil and natural gas extraction and production. It is a byproduct that emerges alongside the hydrocarbons during drilling, well stimulation, and production processes. Oil and gasproduced wastewater is a complex mixture that contains various contaminants, including hydrocarbons, heavy metals, salts, suspended solids, organic compounds, and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). The composition of produced water can vary depending on the characteristics of the oil or gas reservoir, the extraction methods used, and the geological formations in the area. Due to its composition and potential environmental impact, the treatment and disposal of oil and gas-produced wastewater present significant challenges for the oil and gas industry. Effective treatment methods must remove or reduce contaminants before safe disposal or potential water reuse. Additionally, conventional water treatment infrastructure is confronted with a growing challenge stemming from higher living standards, an expanding pharmaceutical industry, and the proliferation of personal care products, micro and nano-plastics, and various human-made chemicals. These persistent contaminants pose a serious threat to water systems as they find their way into natural water bodies, necessitating advanced treatment strategies beyond the capabilities of conventional methods.

Keywords: Membranes; Nanofibers; Functionalization; Produced water; Emerging contaminants; Water treatment