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Membrane fouling by vesicles and prevention through ozonation
Michelle C Barry1, Kiril Hristovski, Paul Westerhoff
1School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|June 10, 2014
Summary
Preozonation effectively reduces membrane fouling caused by liposomes, which are common biogenic colloids in wastewater. This pretreatment disrupts liposomes, mitigating their significant contribution to ultrafiltration membrane cake resistance.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Technology
- Colloid Science
Background:
- Membrane fouling is a critical issue in water and wastewater treatment.
- Biogenic colloids, such as liposomes, are significant contributors to membrane fouling.
- Ozone has shown potential in mitigating membrane fouling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of preozonation on membrane fouling caused by biogenic colloids, specifically liposomes.
- To understand the fouling behavior of liposomes compared to other wastewater constituents.
- To evaluate the efficacy of preozonation in reducing liposome-induced fouling.
Main Methods:
- Dead-end ultrafiltration (UF) experiments were conducted.
- Batch ozonation tests were performed.
- Liposomes were used as model biogenic colloids.
Main Results:
- Liposomes caused significantly faster membrane fouling (4-13 times higher resistance per mgC) than polysaccharides, fatty acids, and natural organic matter (NOM).
- Liposome-like biogenic nanomaterials may account for 20-60% of fouling in secondary effluent ultrafiltration.
- Preozonation was found to reduce liposomal fouling during UF.
Conclusions:
- Liposomes represent a unique and substantial fouling agent in wastewater ultrafiltration.
- Preozonation effectively mitigates liposome-induced membrane fouling.
- Ozone disrupts liposome structure by cleaving fatty acid tails, reducing their fouling potential.
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