Dynamic membrane for micro-particle removal in wastewater treatment: Performance and influencing factors

Dynamic membranes (DMs) have been of great interest in recent years because they can reduce energy consumption and costs during wastewater treatment. Dynamic membranes are a promising technology for the removal of low-density, non-degradable micro-particles, such as plastics, which are an increasingly prevalent wastewater contaminant. These micro-particles are not easily removed via conventional sedimentation and result in increased operation and maintenance costs in downstream unit processes. In this study, DMs were formed on a 90 rim supporting mesh through filtration of a synthetic wastewater. The impact of influent flux (solid flux) and influent particle concentration on DM performance was investigated. The effluent turbidity was reduced to < 1 NTU after 20 mins of filtration, verifying the effective removal of micro-particles by the DM. Transmembrane pressure (TMP) and total filtration resistance increased linearly with filtration time, and were highly correlated (R-2 > 0.998). TMP ranged from SO to 180 mm of water head, and total filtration resistance ranged from 2.89 x 10(-9) m r to 6.52 x 10(-9) m(-1) during DM filtration. In general, an increase in influent flux and influent particle concentration corresponds with increasing TMP and filtration resistance, as well as a rapid reduction in effluent turbidity due to swift formation of a DM on the supporting mesh. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.