Membranes coupled with physico-chemcial treatment in water reuse: New hybrid systems development and fouling assessment

Funding: 2009: $85,000
2010: $85,000
2011: $85,000

Project Member(s): Vigneswaran, S., Shon, H.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)

Start year: 2009

Summary: Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis are the main polishing treatment processes used in water reuse. An effective pre-treatment is the key to alleviating the major hurdle of application of membranes, which is membrane fouling. In this study, we will (1) develop novel pre-treatment technologies by innovative coupling of submerged membrane with physico-chemical processes and (2) devise a realistic and cost-effective method to access the pre-treatment without pilot testing. This project will bring the benefits of strong international collaboration and lead to sustainable pre-treatment technologies to remove a wide range of organic contaminants.

Publications:

Johir, MAH, Vigneswaran, S, Kandasamy, J, BenAim, R & Grasmick, A 2013, 'Effect of salt concentration on membrane bioreactor (MBR) performances: Detailed organic characterization', Desalination, vol. 322, no. 1, pp. 13-20.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

Keywords: Flocculation, Ion exchange, Fouling index, Membrane processes, Water Reuse, adsorption,

FOR Codes: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Urban and Industrial Land Management, Evaluation, allocation, and impacts of land use

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.