Scientists have developed an innovative filter membrane that presents new opportunities for treating high-salinity wastewater.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Institute of Process Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other institutes, was published in the latest issue of the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
The study highlights a newly designed mixed-charge nanofiltration membrane with a horizontal charge distribution. This novel configuration creates a high charge density and a nearly electroneutral surface, allowing the membrane to efficiently facilitate the permeation of divalent salts.
The new membrane demonstrates exceptional salt permeation, organic matter retention, and antifouling properties, making it particularly effective for high-salinity organic wastewater, according to the study.
The primary function of the filter membrane is to selectively separate dissolved salts, organic matter, and other impurities from water, allowing for the efficient purification of high-salinity wastewater. This could be particularly beneficial in industries like desalination, oil and gas, mining, and agriculture, where wastewater with high salt concentrations is common.
The filter membrane represents a significant advancement in wastewater treatment technology, offering a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for dealing with high-salinity wastewater.
“Our membrane achieves 58.6 percent salt permeation and 68.7 percent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) rejection when treating high-salinity organic wastewater,” said Luo Jianquan, corresponding author of the study, adding that the results are among the best reported for nanofiltration membranes.
Luo further added that the findings pave the way for more efficient resource recovery and sustainability in wastewater management.
