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Mechanisms of MS2 bacteriophage removal by fouled ultrafiltration membrane subjected to different cleaning methods
Ruiqing Lu1, Daniel Mosiman, Thanh H Nguyen
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
Abstract:
An ultrafiltration unit with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane of 40 nm nominal pore size was used to study bacteriophage MS2 removal under different membrane conditions: pristine membrane, membrane fouled by soluble microbial product (SMP) extracted from membrane bioreactor (MBR) feedwater, backwashed membrane, and chemically cleaned membrane. The order of MS2 removal by these membranes was as follows: fouled membrane > backwashed membrane > chemically cleaned membrane ≈ pristine membrane. A linear correlation between membrane relative permeability and MS2 removal was found. Mass balance analysis showed a high percentage of MS2 in the concentrate for the fouled membrane as compared with the pristine membrane. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) results showed faster kinetics of MS2 adhesion to the pristine membrane than to the SMP-fouled membrane. In agreement with QCM results, an attractive force between MS2 and the pristine membrane was detected using an atomic force microscope (AFM), whereas a repulsive force was detected for the interaction between MS2 and the fouled membrane. The presence of SMP on the membrane surface led to higher rejection of MS2 due to both pore blocking and repulsion between MS2 and the SMP layer. Chemical cleaning removed most of the SMP foulant and as a result led to a lower MS2 removal.
Insights
Soluble microbial products (SMP) fouling on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes enhances bacteriophage MS2 removal by increasing pore blocking and repulsive forces. Membrane cleaning reduces this enhanced removal efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Membrane Science
Background:
- Bacteriophage MS2 is a common indicator organism for viral contamination in water.
- Membrane fouling, particularly by soluble microbial products (SMP), can significantly alter membrane performance.
- Understanding MS2 removal mechanisms is crucial for effective water purification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of membrane fouling by SMP on bacteriophage MS2 removal.
- To compare MS2 removal efficiency across different membrane conditions: pristine, fouled, backwashed, and chemically cleaned.
- To elucidate the mechanisms behind altered MS2 removal due to fouling.
Main Methods:
- Ultrafiltration using a 40 nm PVDF membrane.
- Testing membrane performance with pristine, SMP-fouled, backwashed, and chemically cleaned membranes.
- Analysis using mass balance, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Main Results:
- MS2 removal order: fouled > backwashed > chemically cleaned ≈ pristine.
- A linear correlation was observed between membrane relative permeability and MS2 removal.
- Fouled membranes showed higher MS2 concentrate percentages, faster adhesion kinetics, and repulsive forces compared to pristine membranes.
Conclusions:
- SMP fouling enhances MS2 removal through pore blocking and electrostatic repulsion.
- Membrane cleaning reduces SMP foulant, leading to decreased MS2 removal efficiency.
- Surface interactions and pore structure changes are key factors in MS2 removal during ultrafiltration.
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