Enhanced cross-flow filtration with flat-sheet ceramic membranes by titanium-based coagulation for membrane fouling control

doi:10.1007/s11783-022-1531-x

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2022, Vol. 16

Issue (8) : 110 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-022-1531-x

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Enhanced cross-flow filtration with flat-sheet ceramic membranes by titanium-based coagulation for membrane fouling control

Xiaoman Liu¹, Chang Tian², Yanxia Zhao¹(

), Weiying Xu¹, Dehua Dong³, Kaimin Shih⁴, Tao Yan¹, Wen Song¹

¹. School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China
². School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
³. School of Material Science and Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China
⁴. Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China

Download: PDF(2804 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

• Ceramic membrane filtration showed high performance for surface water treatment.

• PTC pre-coagulation could enhance ceramic membrane filtration performance.

• Ceramic membrane fouling was investigated by four varied mathematical models.

• PTC pre-coagulation was high-effective for ceramic membrane fouling control.

Application of ceramic membrane (CM) with outstanding characteristics, such as high flux and chemical-resistance, is inevitably restricted by membrane fouling. Coagulation was an economical and effective technology for membrane fouling control. This study investigated the filtration performance of ceramic membrane enhanced by the emerging titanium-based coagulant (polytitanium chloride, PTC). Particular attention was paid to the simulation of ceramic membrane fouling using four widely used mathematical models. Results show that filtration of the PTC-coagulated effluent using flat-sheet ceramic membrane achieved the removal of organic matter up to 78.0%. Permeate flux of ceramic membrane filtration reached 600 L/(m²·h), which was 10-fold higher than that observed with conventional polyaluminum chloride (PAC) case. For PTC, fouling of the ceramic membrane was attributed to the formation of cake layer, whereas for PAC, standard filtration/intermediate filtration (blocking of membrane pores) was also a key fouling mechanism. To sum up, cross-flow filtration with flat-sheet ceramic membranes could be significantly enhanced by titanium-based coagulation to produce both high-quality filtrate and high-permeation flux.

Keywords Ceramic membrane Coagulation Polytitanium chloride Membrane fouling

Corresponding Author(s): Yanxia Zhao

About author:

Tongcan Cui and Yizhe Hou contributed equally to this work.

Issue Date: 31 December 2021

Cite this article:

Xiaoman Liu,Chang Tian,Yanxia Zhao, et al. Enhanced cross-flow filtration with flat-sheet ceramic membranes by titanium-based coagulation for membrane fouling control[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(8): 110.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-022-1531-x
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2022/V16/I8/110

Models	Calculation formulas	Evaluation parameter	Parameter characterization for membrane fouling mechanism	Nomenclature	References
Model 1	J/J₀–t	J/J₀	The value of J/J₀ represents the degree of membrane fouling. The decreasing trend of J/J₀ indicates developing rate of membrane fouling.	J: permeate flux (L/(m²·h)); J₀: initial permeate flux (L/(m²·h)); t: filtration time (h)	He and Vidic, 2016; Park et al., 2019
Model 2	(4) $d 2 t d V 2 = a (d t d V) n,$ (5) $d t d V = 1 J A,$ (6) $d 2 t d V 2 = − 1 J 3 A 2 d J d t,$	n	n=0, cake filtration (the particles cannot enter the membrane pores and accumulate on the membrane surface to form a permeable cake layer); n=1, intermediate blocking (the particles settle on previously deposited dirt particles or the unobstructed area of the membrane, similar to complete blockage); n=1.5, standard blocking (the particles enter and adsorb in the membrane pores, reducing the pore size); n=2, complete blocking (the particle size is larger than the membrane pore so that it cannot enter the membrane pore and deposit on the membrane surface to block the pore entrance)	t: filtration time (s); V: accumulated filtration volume (m³); J: permeate flux (L/(m²·h)); A: effective filtration area (m²); n: the filtration constant characterizing the filtration mechanism; a: fouling coefficient	Wang et al., 2017; Yang et al., 2019
Model 3	(7) $t V = 1 Q 0 + b 1 t 2,$ (8) $t V = 1 b 2 (V − V f),$ (9) $t V = 1 Q 0 + b 2 V 2,$	R²	Curve 1: t/V−t, standard law filtration (deposit of particles smaller than the membrane pore size onto the pore walls, reducing the pore size); Curve 2: t/V−V, cake filtration (deposit of particles larger than the membrane pore size onto the membrane surface.) The higher R², the more likely the membrane fouling mechanism represented by the fitting line	t: filtration time (s); V: accumulated filtration volume (m³); V_f: permeate volume (m³); Q₀: initial flux rate (L/h); b₁, b₂: filtration constant	Visvanathan and Ben aïm, 1989; Zhao and Li, 2019
Model 4	(10) $1 J' = 1 + k 1 V,$ (11) $ln J' = − k 2 V,$ (12) $J' 12 = 1 − k 3 V 2,$ (13) $J' = 1 − k 4 V,$	R²	1/J’–V, cake filtration (same as model 2); lnJ’–V, intermediate blocking (same as model 2); J’^1/2–V, standard blocking (same as model 2); J’–V, complete blocking (same as model 2) The higher R², the more likely the membrane fouling mechanism represented by the fitting line	J’: the normalized flux, ration of J to J_0; V: accumulated filtration volume (m³); k₁, k₂, k₃, k₄: fouling coefficient	Huang et al., 2008; Shen et al., 2010; Jia et al., 2019

Tab.1 Four membrane filtration models for characterizing ceramic membrane fouling

Fig.1 Performance of coagulation with polytitanium chloride (PTC) and polyaluminum chloride (PAC): (a) residual turbidity; (b) UV₂₅₄ removal; (c) removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC); (d) zeta potential of coagulated flocs; (e) effluent pH after coagulation.

Fig.2 Three-dimensional excitation emission fluorescence spectra of (a) raw water, (b) the PTC coagulated effluent, and (c) the PAC coagulated effluent (optimum dosage of 50 mg Ti/L and 40 mg Al/L were selected for PTC and PAC coagulation, respectively).

Fig.3 Comparison of effluent quality and permeate flux between organic membrane and ceramic membrane after coagulation/membrane filtration: (a) permeate flux, (b) residual turbidity, and (c) removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (PTC as coagulant with dosage of 50 mg/L; RW-OM: raw water filtration by organic membrane; RW-CM: raw water filtration by ceramic membrane; CE-OM: filtration of coagulated effluent by organic membrane; CE-CM: filtration of coagulated effluent by ceramic membrane).

Fig.4 Comparison of membrane fouling mechanism between organic membrane and ceramic membrane by means of mode 1, 2, and 3: (a) model 1: normalized flux (J/J₀) vs. filtration period; (b) model 2: fitting curves of lgd²t/dV² vs. lgdt/dV; (c) model 3: fitting curves of t/V vs. T and t/V vs. V; (d) correlation parameters (R²) of fitting curves for model 3 (PTC as coagulant with dosage of 50 mg/L; RW-OM: raw water filtration by organic membrane; RW-CM: raw water filtration by ceramic membrane; CE-OM: filtration of coagulated effluent by organic membrane; CE-CM: filtration of coagulated effluent by ceramic membrane).

Fig.5 Fitting curves and correlation parameters (R²) of model 4 (1/J’ vs. V, lnJ’ vs. V, J’^1/2 vs. V, and J’ vs. V) for four systems at different time segments: (a and b) RW-OM: raw water filtration by organic membrane; (c and d) RW-CM: raw water filtration by ceramic membrane; (e and f) CE-OM: filtration of coagulated effluent by organic membrane; (g and h) CE-CM: filtration of coagulated effluent by ceramic membrane. (PTC as coagulant with dosage of 50 mg/L).

Fig.6 Comparison of effluent quality after coagulation/ceramic membrane filtration: (a) permeate flux, (b) residual turbidity, and (c) removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (optimum dosage of 50 mg Ti/L and 40 mg Al/L were selected for PTC and PAC coagulation, respectively).

Fig.7 Comparison of membrane fouling mechanism between raw water, PTC coagulated effluent (CE) , and PAC coagulated effluent by means of mode 1, 2, and 3: (a) model 1: normalized flux (J/J₀) vs. filtration period; (b) model 2: fitting curves of lgd²t/dV² vs. lgdt/dV; (c) model 3: fitting curves of t/V vs. T and t/V vs. V; (d) correlation parameters (R²) of fitting curves for model 3 (optimum dosage of 50 mg Ti/L and 40 mg Al/L were selected for PTC and PAC coagulation, respectively).

Fig.8 Fitting curves and correlation parameters (R²) of model 4 (1/J’ vs. V, lnJ’ vs. V, J’^1/2 vs. V and J’ vs. V) for raw water, PTC coagulated effluent (CE), and PAC coagulated effluent: ceramic membrane: (a and b) raw water; (c and d) PAC coagulated effluent; (e and f) PTC coagulated effluent (optimum dosage of 50 mg Ti/L and 40 mg Al/L were selected for PTC and PAC coagulation, respectively).

Fig.9 Volume-based (a) and number-based (b) floc size distribution of raw water, PAC coagulated effluent, and PTC coagulated effluent under optimum dosage (optimum dosage of 50 mg Ti/L and 40 mg Al/L were selected for PTC and PAC coagulation, respectively).

1	M B Asif, Z Zhang (2021). Ceramic membrane technology for water and wastewater treatment: A critical review of performance, full-scale applications, membrane fouling and prospects. Chemical Engineering Journal, 418: 129481 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.129481
2	L Chekli, C Eripret, S H Park, S A A Tabatabai, O Vronska, B Tamburic, J H Kim, H K Shon (2017). Coagulation performance and floc characteristics of polytitanium tetrachloride (PTC) compared with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and ferric chloride (FeCl3) in algal turbid water. Separation and Purification Technology, 175: 99–106 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2016.11.019
3	Y Chi, C Tian, H Li, Y Zhao (2019). Polymerized titanium salts for algae-laden surface water treatment and the algae-rich sludge recycle toward chromium and phenol degradation from aqueous solution. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 7(15): 12964–12972 https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b02016
4	J Galloux, L Chekli, S Phuntsho, L D Tijing, S Jeong, Y X Zhao, B Y Gao, S H Park, H K Shon (2015). Coagulation performance and floc characteristics of polytitanium tetrachloride and titanium tetrachloride compared with ferric chloride for coal mining wastewater treatment. Separation and Purification Technology, 152: 94–100 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.08.009
5	B Ghalami Choobar, M A Alaei Shahmirzadi, A Kargari, M Manouchehri (2019). Fouling mechanism identification and analysis in microfiltration of laundry wastewater. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 7(2): 103030
6	C He, R D Vidic (2016). Application of microfiltration for the treatment of Marcellus Shale flowback water: Influence of floc breakage on membrane fouling. Journal of Membrane Science, 510: 348–354 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2016.03.023
7	L Hou, Z Wang, P Song (2017). A precise combined complete blocking and cake filtration model for describing the flux variation in membrane filtration process with BSA solution. Journal of Membrane Science, 542: 186–194 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2017.08.013
8	H Huang, T A Young, J G Jacangelo (2008). Unified membrane fouling index for low pressure membrane filtration of natural waters: principles and methodology. Environmental Science & Technology, 42(3): 714–720 https://doi.org/10.1021/es071043j pmid: 18323092
9	H Jia, F Feng, J Wang, H H Ngo, W Guo, H Zhang (2019). On line monitoring local fouling behavior of membrane filtration process by in situ hydrodynamic and electrical measurements. Journal of Membrane Science, 589: 117245 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117245
10	B B Lee, K H Choo, D Chang, S J Choi (2009). Optimizing the coagulant dose to control membrane fouling in combined coagulation/ultrafiltration systems for textile wastewater reclamation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 155(1–2): 101–107 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.07.014
11	S J Lee, M Dilaver, P K Park, J H Kim (2013). Comparative analysis of fouling characteristics of ceramic and polymeric microfiltration membranes using filtration models. Journal of Membrane Science, 432: 97–105 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2013.01.013
12	W Li, M Chen, Z Zhong, M Zhou, W Xing (2020). Hydroxyl radical intensified Cu2O NPs/H2O2 process in ceramic membrane reactor for degradation on DMAc wastewater from polymeric membrane manufacturer. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 14(6): 102
13	W Li, F Hang, K Li, F Lei (2019). Development and application of combined models of membrane fouling for the ultrafiltration of limed sugarcane juice. Sugar Tech, 21(3): 524–526 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-018-0657-4
14	N Ma, Y Zhang, X Quan, X Fan, H Zhao (2010). Performing a microfiltration integrated with photocatalysis using an Ag-TiO2/HAP/Al2O3 composite membrane for water treatment: Evaluating effectiveness for humic acid removal and anti-fouling properties. Water Research, 44(20): 6104–6114 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2010.06.068 pmid: 20650505
15	J Park, K Jeong, S Baek, S Park, M Ligaray, T H Chong, K H Cho (2019). Modeling of NF/RO membrane fouling and flux decline using real-time observations. Journal of Membrane Science, 576: 66–77 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2019.01.031
16	Y Shen, W Zhao, K Xiao, X Huang (2010). A systematic insight into fouling propensity of soluble microbial products in membrane bioreactors based on hydrophobic interaction and size exclusion. Journal of Membrane Science, 346(1): 187–193 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2009.09.040
17	H K Shon, S Phuntsho, S Vigneswaran, J Kandasamy, L D Nghiem, G J Kim, J B Kim, J H Kim (2010). Preparation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles from electrocoagulated sludge using sacrificial titanium electrodes. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(14): 5553–5557 https://doi.org/10.1021/es100333s pmid: 20560597
18	C Visvanathan, R Ben aïm (1989). Studies on colloidal membrane fouling mechanisms in crossflow microfiltration. Journal of Membrane Science, 45(1–2): 3–15 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(00)80841-8
19	H Wang, M Park, H Liang, S Wu, I J Lopez, W Ji, G Li, S A Snyder (2017). Reducing ultrafiltration membrane fouling during potable water reuse using pre-ozonation. Water Research, 125: 42–51 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.08.030 pmid: 28834767
20	S Wei, L Du, S Chen, H T Yu, X Quan (2021). Electro-assisted CNTs/ceramic flat sheet ultrafiltration membrane for enhanced antifouling and separation performance. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 15(1): 11
21	J R Werber, C O Osuji, M Elimelech (2016). Materials for next-generation desalination and water purification membranes. Nature Reviews. Materials, 1(5): 16018 https://doi.org/10.1038/natrevmats.2016.18
22	Z Xu, T Wu, J Shi, K Teng, W Wang, M Ma, J Li, X Qian, C Li, J Fan (2016). Photocatalytic antifouling PVDF ultrafiltration membranes based on synergy of graphene oxide and TiO2 for water treatment. Journal of Membrane Science, 520: 281–293 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2016.07.060
23	T Yang, H Xiong, F Liu, Q Yang, B Xu, C Zhan (2019). Effect of UV/TiO2 pretreatment on fouling alleviation and mechanisms of fouling development in a cross-flow filtration process using a ceramic UF membrane. Chemical Engineering Journal, 358: 1583–1593 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.10.149
24	M Zhan, Y Kim, J Lim, S Hong (2021). Application of fouling index for forward osmosis hybrid system: A pilot demonstration. Journal of Membrane Science, 617: 118624 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118624
25	B Zhang, X Mao, X Tang, H Tang, B Zhang, Y Shen, W Shi (2022). Pre-coagulation for membrane fouling mitigation in an aerobic granular sludge membrane bioreactor: A comparative study of modified microbial and organic flocculants. Journal of Membrane Science, 644: 120129
26	C Zhao, X Yu, X Da, M Qiu, X Chen, Y Fan (2021). Fabrication of a charged PDA/PEI/Al2O3 composite nanofiltration membrane for desalination at high temperatures. Separation and Purification Technology, 263: 118388
27	Y X Zhao, B Y Gao, Q B Qi, Y Wang, S Phuntsho, J H Kim, Q Y Yue, Q Li, H K Shon (2013). Cationic polyacrylamide as coagulant aid with titanium tetrachloride for low molecule organic matter removal. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 258– 259: 84–92 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.04.044 pmid: 23708450
28	Y X Zhao, B Y Gao, G Z Zhang, Q B Qi, Y Wang, S Phuntsho, J H Kim, H K Shon, Q Y Yue, Q Li (2014). Coagulation and sludge recovery using titanium tetrachloride as coagulant for real water treatment: A comparison against traditional aluminum and iron salts. Separation and Purification Technology, 130: 19–27 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2014.04.015
29	Y X Zhao, X Y Li (2019). Polymerized titanium salts for municipal wastewater preliminary treatment followed by further purification via crossflow filtration for water reuse. Separation and Purification Technology, 211: 207–217 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.09.078
30	Y X Zhao, S Phuntsho, B Y Gao, Y Z Yang, J H Kim, H K Shon (2015). Comparison of a novel polytitanium chloride coagulant with polyaluminium chloride: Coagulation performance and floc characteristics. Journal of Environmental Management, 147: 194–202 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.09.023 pmid: 25291677
31	Y X Zhao, Y Y Sun, B Y Gao, Y Wang, Y Z Yang (2017). Inhibition of disinfection by-product formation in silver nanoparticle-humic acid water treatment. Separation and Purification Technology, 184: 158–167 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2017.04.039

[1]

FSE-21119-OF-LXM_suppl_1

Download

[1]	Jinkai Xue, Seyed Hesam-Aldin Samaei, Jianfei Chen, Ariana Doucet, Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng. What have we known so far about microplastics in drinking water treatment? A timely review[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(5): 58-.
[2]	Neha Badola, Ashish Bahuguna, Yoel Sasson, Jaspal Singh Chauhan. Microplastics removal strategies: A step toward finding the solution[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(1): 7-.
[3]	Yanxiao Si, Fang Zhang, Hong Chen, Guanghe Li, Haichuan Zhang, Dun Liu. Effect of current density on groundwater arsenite removal performance using air cathode electrocoagulation[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(6): 112-.
[4]	Zongqun Chen, Wei Jin, Hailong Yin, Mengqi Han, Zuxin Xu. Performance evaluation on the pollution control against wet weather overflow based on on-site coagulation/flocculation in terminal drainage pipes[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(6): 111-.
[5]	Kangying Guo, Baoyu Gao, Jie Wang, Jingwen Pan, Qinyan Yue, Xing Xu. Flocculation behaviors of a novel papermaking sludge-based flocculant in practical printing and dyeing wastewater treatment[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 103-.
[6]	Shuchang Wang, Binbin Shao, Junlian Qiao, Xiaohong Guan. Application of Fe(VI) in abating contaminants in water: State of art and knowledge gaps[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 80-.
[7]	Shan Xue, Shaobin Sun, Weihua Qing, Taobo Huang, Wen Liu, Changqing Liu, Hong Yao, Wen Zhang. Experimental and computational assessment of 1,4-Dioxane degradation in a photo-Fenton reactive ceramic membrane filtration process[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 95-.
[8]	Xiaojie Shi, Zhuo Chen, Yun Lu, Qi Shi, Yinhu Wu, Hong-Ying Hu. Significant increase of assimilable organic carbon (AOC) levels in MBR effluents followed by coagulation, ozonation and combined treatments: Implications for biostability control of reclaimed water[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 68-.
[9]	Danyang Liu, Johny Cabrera, Lijuan Zhong, Wenjing Wang, Dingyuan Duan, Xiaomao Wang, Shuming Liu, Yuefeng F. Xie. Using loose nanofiltration membrane for lake water treatment: A pilot study[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 69-.
[10]	Yanxia Zhao, Huiqing Lian, Chang Tian, Haibo Li, Weiying Xu, Sherub Phuntsho, Kaimin Shih. Surface water treatment benefits from the presence of algae: Influence of algae on the coagulation behavior of polytitanium chloride[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 58-.
[11]	Shuo Wei, Lei Du, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Xie Quan. Electro-assisted CNTs/ceramic flat sheet ultrafiltration membrane for enhanced antifouling and separation performance[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(1): 11-.
[12]	Wenyue Li, Min Chen, Zhaoxiang Zhong, Ming Zhou, Weihong Xing. Hydroxyl radical intensified Cu₂O NPs/H₂O₂ process in ceramic membrane reactor for degradation on DMAc wastewater from polymeric membrane manufacturer[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(6): 102-.
[13]	An Ding, Yingxue Zhao, Huu Hao Ngo, Langming Bai, Guibai Li, Heng Liang, Nanqi Ren, Jun Nan. Metabolic uncoupler, 3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide addition for sludge reduction and fouling control in a gravity-driven membrane bioreactor[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(6): 96-.
[14]	An Ding, Yingxue Zhao, Zhongsen Yan, Langming Bai, Haiyang Yang, Heng Liang, Guibai Li, Nanqi Ren. Co-application of energy uncoupling and ultrafiltration in sludge treatment: Evaluations of sludge reduction, supernatant recovery and membrane fouling control[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(4): 59-.
[15]	Zhenlian Qi, Shijie You, Ranbin Liu, C. Joon Chuah. Performance and mechanistic study on electrocoagulation process for municipal wastewater treatment based on horizontal bipolar electrodes[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(3): 40-.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed