Neoteric approach for mitigation of fouling in membrane bioreactor utilizing green composites

Abstract

Purification of water is a critical and inevitable process at present to avoid the harmful effect of polluted water and to meet the need for safe drinking water to millions of people in the world. Several methods of water purification exist, but the combination of adsorption and filtration is found to be paramount in the water treatment process owing to the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of the process. The submerged ceramic membrane bioreactor, which includes both bioreactor and filtration system, is one of the most promising technologies effectively employed for water purification. The main hardship in using the membrane bioreactor system is the phenomena called fouling which decreases and gradually ceases the separation capacity of the membrane. The present work focuses on the reduction of fouling, thus increasing the efficacy of the membrane bioreactor system. The two green composite materials, chitosan beads with activated carbon (CH-AC) and cellulose acetate flakes with activated carbon (CA-AC), were used for the first time for reduction of fouling and found to be an excellent aid in the reduction of fouling. The composites synthesized were subjected to characterization using SEM, TEM and BET to study the physical properties of the composites. The optimum dosage of CH-AC and CA-AC for effective reduction of fouling was analysed. Thus, the present work imparts the novel, efficient, economical and eco-friendly solution for fouling reduction and also a significant improvement in the quality of effluent water.