Use of hollow-fiber membranes modified with inorganic nanoparticles for water and effluent treatment

• Grant number: 22/08592-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2022
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Agreement: SABESP
• Principal Investigator: José Carlos Mierzwa
• Grantee: Dionisio da Silva Biron
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP)
• Associated research grant: 20/11059-0 - Development of ultrafiltration modules of hollow fiber mixed matrix membranes, polyethersulfone and inorganic nanoparticles, for water and wastewater treatment, AP.PITE

Abstract

The contamination of water bodies and misuse of water linked to the increase of the world population has generated concern on the part of the legislation, which has led to the study of new technologies aimed at treating, reusing, and recovering water quality. Therefore, the current research project has as its main objective the production of polymeric hollow fiber membranes of micro and ultrafiltration containing inorganic nanoparticles for the treatment of water and effluents. To achieve our purpose, materials and experimental methods will be developed to improve the membranes performance. Hollow fiber membranes will be developed using polyethersulfone as the polymer matrix and to increase their performance in the separation processes, inorganic nanoparticles will be used as additives to improve their hydrophilicity and reduce the organic, biological and mineral fouling in the porous structure of the membranes. During the development of the research, experimental methods will be adopted to determine the ideal conditions for the synthesis of membranes using the phase inversion process after the extrusion process. Once obtained, the membranes and the membrane module will have their performance evaluated regarding permeability and rejection rates, as well as the pressure loss, during the treatment process with synthetic and natural contaminated effluents. Membranes whose compositions results in a better performance shall be used on a pilot scale. At this final stage, long-term experiments with domestic sewage will be carried out to consolidate the knowledge obtained during the project, aiming at full-scale applications of membrane separation technology. (AU)