Photo by Ivan Bandura on Unsplash
A team of Chinese researchers has made a groundbreaking advancement in wastewater treatment with the successful application of UV/E-Cl technology to mitigate membrane gel fouling. The study, recently published in Nature Communications, highlights a novel approach to improving dewatering efficiency and membrane filtration performance in wastewater treatment processes.
Enhanced Dewatering Efficiency
The study demonstrated that the application of UV/E-Cl significantly improved water flux in dewatering experiments, achieving fluxes up to 138% of the E-Cl system, 239% of the UV system, and 198% of the control. This suggests that UV/E-Cl effectively disrupts membrane fouling structures, leading to enhanced dewatering performance. By utilizing an SA-BSA model system, researchers were able to simulate complex extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) behavior and confirm the relevance of proteins and polysaccharides in wastewater sludge (WAS) dewatering.
Molecular Insights into Fouling Mechanisms
The study delved into the intermolecular interactions of proteins and polysaccharides, revealing that electrostatic bridging between amino and carboxyl groups plays a crucial role in membrane fouling. Through FTIR spectral analysis and Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations, researchers identified three molecular binding modes, indicating a strong preference for linear conformations that promote polymer cross-linking. These findings provide a molecular-level understanding of how UV/E-Cl disrupts these interactions, leading to reduced viscosity, larger floc sizes, and enhanced water release.
Synergistic Role of Cl Radicals in Fouling Mitigation
Further analysis demonstrated that chlorine radicals (Cl•) play a dominant role in the degradation of BSA and SA, contributing over 90% to their breakdown. The study reported exceptionally high reaction rate constants for Cl• interactions with these macromolecules, supporting the effectiveness of UV/E-Cl in decomposing membrane foulants. This process not only fragmented the SA-BSA structures into smaller particles but also significantly reduced their viscosity and hydration capacity, thereby weakening the gel-like fouling layer.
Thermodynamic Insights: Water Occurrence State as the Key Factor
The research further explored the thermodynamics of membrane fouling, confirming that water occurrence states—rather than conventional porosity or permeability factors—dominate gel fouling behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that bound water content in control foulant layers was nearly 80%, while UV/E-Cl treatment reduced it to less than 10%. This shift allowed for easier water release, ultimately lowering filtration resistance and improving filtration efficiency.
Towards Practical Applications
With these compelling results, the researchers suggest optimizing reactor parameters, including electrode material, UV intensity, and treatment duration, to enhance process scalability. The study also proposes the integration of UV/E-Cl with other oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide, to further boost radical generation and improve treatment efficiency. Additionally, the researchers emphasize the potential for using lower-concentration NaCl solutions—such as seawater—to achieve sustainable and cost-effective wastewater treatment.
A Universal Breakthrough in Membrane Technology
While this study was conducted using WAS, its findings have far-reaching implications beyond wastewater treatment. The recognition of water occurrence states as the dominant factor in membrane fouling mitigation holds universal significance across different membrane processes and reactor scales. This breakthrough paves the way for more efficient and sustainable filtration technologies in water treatment industries worldwide.
With increasing global demand for efficient wastewater management, UV/E-Cl technology presents a promising solution for improving membrane longevity, reducing operational costs, and enhancing overall treatment performance. As researchers continue to refine and scale up this innovative approach, the future of wastewater treatment looks increasingly efficient and sustainable.
For more details, refer to the full study published in Nature Communications: [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57878-4]
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Post time: Apr-03-2025