Work

Process efficiency assessment of turbidity removal from tigris river using microfiltration membranes

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The current study aims to use microfiltration membrane units instead of using traditional treatment methods (flocculation and coagulation) to enhance water treatment efficiency and lower operational and fixed costs. Specifically, it explores using a polypropylene membrane with a pore size of 1 µm and a ceramic membrane with a pore size of 0.5 µm to remove turbidity, total suspended solid TSS, and Escherichia coli bacteria from the Tigris River water within Baghdad. An experimental study compared the removal efficiency of real and simulated Tigris River water with different turbidity for polypropylene and ceramic membranes. Operational parameters such as initial turbidity concentration, temperature, flow rate, and membrane fouling were studied as a function of time. Also, two operating methods, dead-end, and crossflow, were discussed regarding the removal efficiency of suspended solids, turbidity, and Escherichia coli bacteria 65 %, 91 %, and 99 %, respectively, for the polypropylene membrane. And 75 %, 97 %, and 100 % for the ceramic membrane. The results of the current study indicate that ceramic membranes are the most susceptible to contamination by fouling, but at the same time, they are the most resistant and have the highest rate of removal efficiency than the polypropylene membrane. In addition, the crosse flow operation is better than the dead-end operation and is also considered a way to reduce the fouling that occurs in the membrane filtration. Microfiltration in general can achieve economic profit and minimal environmental impact, and ceramic microfiltration membranes in particular can achieve high-quality water. • Ceramic membranes is very effective in eliminating turbidity and bacteria removal with an efficiency of 99.5 %. • PP has less turbidity and bacteria removal. • PP is more resistant to fouling and less susceptible to clogging.

Source: Desalination and Water Treatment

DOI: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100879

Authors: Noor Jasim Al-Tamimi, Ahmed Faiq Al-Alawy, Muayad Al-Shaeli

Institutions: University of Baghdad, University of Luxembourg

Language: English

Topic: Membrane Separation Technologies

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,000