Work

Coupling ceramic nanofiltration membranes with catalytic ozonation for fouling control during treatment of secondary urban wastewater effluent

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Nanofiltration employing ceramic membranes represents a promising alternative for tertiary and quaternary wastewater treatment due to their superior mechanical and chemical stability over polymeric membrane materials. However, many applications of NF ceramic membranes are still limited by severe organic fouling. The present study investigates the fouling mitigation applied to real urban wastewater secondary effluent in hybrid operation system coupling filtration with catalytic ozonation. Analysis of the effluent organic matter revealed humic-like substances as key contributors to irreversible internal fouling, while protein-like compounds mainly induced reversible cake formation. It has been evidenced that the catalytic ozonation enables a full flux recovery (Flux recovery ratio (F R ) ≈ 100%) and may therefore outperform chemical cleaning in reversibility, long-term stability and cost effectiveness. Moreover, the catalytic membranes demonstrated a superior anti-fouling behavior when ozone was continuously applied during the filtration process. An optimal ozone concentration was 25 g.Nm −3 (≈ 0.5 gO₃per g of dissolved organic carbon (DOC)), ensuring efficient removal of foulants, while minimizing ozone consumption. The highest flux stability and organic compounds removal was obtained while achieving chemical oxygen demand (COD) to total organic carbon (TOC) ratios below 2 indicating the formation of more biodegradable by-products. These findings demonstrate that catalytic ozonation coupled with the filtration process significantly enhances membrane sustainability, improving cleaning efficiency, and enabling stable long-term operation in real wastewater treatment.

Source: Chemical Engineering Journal Green and Sustainable

DOI: 10.1016/j.cejgas.2026.100106

Authors: Eliott Jacquemin, Martin Drobek, Eddy Petit, Loubna Atfane, Julie Mendret, Stéphan Brosillon

Institutions: École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Européen des Membranes

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: diamond

Funder: Université de Montpellier