Fouling mitigation and emergent compounds removal evaluation in a hybrid system: photocatalytic membrane bioreactor

• Grant number: 21/04680-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: November 15, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Lucas Subtil
• Grantee: Gidiane Scaratti
• Host Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs), which are being used on large scale all over the world, represent atechnological milestone for the treatment of complex wastewater and for the recovery and reuse of water. However, it still has some limitations regarding the mitigation of fouling and the removal of low molecular weight emerging compounds. One of the most promising strategies to improve the performance of membrane technology is the modification of its properties by the addition of catalytic nanoparticles that can improve its separation capacity and assist in mitigating fouling anddegradation of emerging compounds. In this context, the objective of this research project is to reduce the limitations of MBRs by combining them with a sustainable technology, photocatalyticmembranes, to form a hybrid system, Photocatalytic Membrane Bioreactor (PMBR). In the firststage of the research, photocatalysts will be synthesized and characterized, followed by the synthesisof photocatalytic membranes varying the photocatalyst dosage, by the phase inversion method. The photocatalytic membranes obtained will be characterized and evaluated in filterability assays, removal of emerging compounds, and identification of free radicals produced in the presence of visible light. The photocatalytic membrane that presents the best results in the filterability assays will be used in the second stage of the research, where the hybrid PMBR system irradiated with LED strips will be evaluated in the mitigation of the fouling and quality of the wastewater treated. As a result, it is expected to contribute scientifically to the use of photocatalytic membranes in MBR systems, increasing the system's efficiency in terms of fouling mitigation and removal of emergingcompounds, in addition to increasing the useful life of the membranes, obtaining a constantpermeate flow for a longer time of operation and wastewater treated suitable for the reuse of water. (AU)