In this study, a novel catalytic ozonation membrane reactor (COMR) with activity components as CuMn2O4 (CMO)/g-C3N4 (CN) on ceramic membrane (CM), was explored to degrade EfOM in the effluent of WWTPs and eliminate the organic membrane fouling by the in-situ catalytic ozonation. To discuss the role of activity components of CuMn2O4, g-C3N4, and the combination, all of their modified CM were investigated to evaluate the organics degradation performance and membrane fouling elimination. According to results, it was observed that COMR loading CMO/CN showed a desirable water flux recovery as 90% of the initial flux; however, this COMR showed worse performance on organics (COD and UV254) further degradation, than COMR with CMO. By the characteratization of SEM and surface contact angle, the membrane fouling layer of COMR loading CMO/CN showed porous and fluffy morphologies, and had a more hydrophilic properties (contact angle value of 20.54° ± 0.64°). Granular CMO catalyst could still be found on the surface of the fouling layer, after being used in COMR. This result indicated that more ROS could be produced to alleviate membrane fouling due the observed CMO solid catalytic ozonation. The reduction of EfOM and its migration was characterized by multi-spectrum technology, demonstrating that COMR with CMO led to significant removal of fulvic acid-like in the ultraviolet region and humic-like substances, high molecular weight EfOMs, and electron-rich moieties including carbon-carbon double bonds and aromatic compounds. These result indicated that the COMR with CMO could alleviate membrane fouling effectively caused by EfOM. All of these led us to put forward the process strategy of reclaimed water treatment. COMR loading CMO/CN showed high stability and flux, which was suitable for long-term operation. The performance of COMR with CMO in improving degradation efficiency and reducing fouling tendency showed potential application in high effluent reqirement on COD.

Characterization of effluent organic matter and membrane fouling in secondary effluent matrix treated by CuMn2O4-based catalytic ozonation-ceramic membrane reactor

ACS Spring 2022

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