Photocatalytic membrane reactors for produced water treatment and reuse: Fundamentals, affecting factors, rational design, and evaluation metrics

Treatment and reuse of produced water (PW), the largest wastewater stream generated during oil and gas production, provides a promising option to address the increasing clean water demands. High-performance treatment technologies are needed to efficiently remove the organic and inorganic contaminants in PW for fitfor-purpose applications. Photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) is an emerging green technology for removal of organic pollutants, photoreduction of heavy metals, photo-inactivation of bacteria, and resource recovery. This study critically reviewed the mechanisms of photocatalysis and membrane processes in PMR, factors affecting PMR performance, rational design, and evaluation metrics for PW treatment. Specifically, PW characteristics, photocatalysts properties, membranes applied, and operating conditions are of utmost importance for rational design and reliable operation of PMR. PW pretreatment to remove oil and grease, colloidal and suspended solids is necessary to reduce membrane fouling and ensure optimal PMR performance. The metrics to evaluate PMR performance were developed including light utilization, exergetic efficiency, water recovery, product water improvement, lifetime of the photocatalyst, and costs. This review also presented the research gaps and outlook for future research.

Automated summary

Treatment and reuse of produced water, the largest wastewater stream generated during oil and gas production, is a promising option to meet the increasing clean water demands. High-performance treatment technologies, such as the photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR), are needed to efficiently remove organic and inorganic contaminants in produced water for fit-for-purpose applications. Specific factors such as produced water characteristics, photocatalysts properties, membranes applied, and operating conditions are crucial for the rational design and reliable operation of PMR.