We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Direct membrane filtration for wastewater treatment and resource recovery: A review
Summary
Researchers review direct membrane filtration technologies — including pressure-driven, osmotic, thermal, and electrically driven processes — for wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery, evaluating treatment efficiency and identifying membrane fouling as the primary operational challenge, with physical and chemical cleaning strategies highlighted as key to long-term viability.
Direct membrane filtration has shown great potential in wastewater treatment and resource recovery in terms of its superior treated water quality, efficient nutrient recovery, and sustainable operation, especially under some scenarios where biological treatment is not feasible. This paper aims to give a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of direct membrane filtration processes (including pressure-driven, osmotic-driven, thermal-driven, and electrical-driven) in treating different types of wastewater for water reclamation and resource recovery. The factors influencing membrane performance and treatment efficiency in these direct membrane filtration processes are well illustrated, in which membrane fouling was identified as the main challenge. The strategies for improving direct membrane filtration performance, such as physical and chemical cleaning techniques and pretreatment of feed water, are highlighted. Towards scaling-up and long-term operation of direct membrane filtration for effective wastewater reclamation and resource recovery, the challenges are emphasized and the prospects are discussed.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
New concepts for water treatment with membrane technology: From ideas to large pilot scale tests
Researchers presented three novel water treatment concepts based on membrane technology — rainstorm water harvesting with micro-/ultrafiltration, direct membrane filtration for wastewater treatment, and an integrated forward osmosis concept — tracing their development from initial ideas through to large pilot-scale testing to address global water scarcity.
New pilot scale concepts for water treatment with membrane technology
Researchers developed three pilot-scale water treatment concepts based on membrane technology: microfiltration/ultrafiltration for stormwater collection and purification, direct membrane filtration for wastewater treatment, and a combined forward osmosis, membrane distillation, and nanofiltration system for advanced water recovery. The pilot testing assessed the performance and practical feasibility of each approach for addressing global water scarcity.
Membrane Technologies at the Frontier: A Review of Advanced Solutions for Microplastics and Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater
This review evaluates advanced membrane-based technologies for removing microplastics and emerging contaminants from wastewater, covering mechanisms such as size exclusion, adsorption, and biodegradation. Researchers identified membrane fouling as the primary constraint on operational efficiency, with different fouling types contributing to reduced water flow and increased energy costs. The study outlines future directions including intelligent membranes, AI-driven monitoring systems, and circular economy approaches to sustainable wastewater treatment.
Removal and Fouling Influence of Microplastics in Fertilizer Driven Forward Osmosis for Wastewater Reclamation
Forward osmosis driven by fertilizer draw solution was found to efficiently remove micro- and nanoplastics while producing irrigation-quality water, though microplastics caused membrane fouling that reduced water flux over time, requiring further optimization for practical implementation.
Membrane Cleaning Technologies for Water Treatment: A Review
Membrane filtration is one of the most effective technologies for removing microplastics from drinking water and wastewater, but membranes clog over time and require regular cleaning to maintain performance. This review evaluates the full range of cleaning methods—from simple water backwashing to ultrasonic treatment, advanced oxidation processes, and electrochemical approaches—comparing their effectiveness at removing different types of fouling without damaging the membrane. Understanding optimal cleaning strategies is important for designing cost-effective, long-lasting filtration systems that can reliably remove microplastics at scale.