Membrane distillation process for phenolic compounds removal from surface water

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering Vol. 9; no. 4; p. 105588
• Main Authors: Ramos, Ramatisa L., Martins, Mateus F., Lebron, Yuri A.R., Moreira, Victor R., Reis, Beatriz G., Grossi, Luiza B., Amaral, Míriam C.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2021
• Subjects: Direct contact membrane distillation; Risk assessment; Volatile and semi volatile compounds; Water treatment; Water treatment; Direct contact membrane distillation; Volatile and semi volatile compounds; Risk assessment
• ISSN: 2213-3437; 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.105588

The direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) was evaluated as a technology for removing phenolic compounds (2-nitrophenol, 2,3,4-trichlorophenol, and bisphenol A) in water and reduce the risks associated with these micro-pollutant’s consumption, which are commonly found in surface water. It was demonstrated that there are still many challenges to better understand the use of this process to retain volatile and semi volatile compounds in trace concentrations. The permeate flux over time in the DCMD showed a slightly decay, with the ratio between the initial and final flux of approximately 0.7. It was recommended to work with a recovery rate <63% to avoid fouling problems. Regardless, the permeate conductivity remained constant indicating the absence of ionic impurities. Despite this, the phenolic compounds retention rates in the raw water were more than 80% and could be related to the relationship between compounds volatility and hydrophobicity. The margin of exposure values for the DCMD permeate were greater than 100 for 2,3,4-trichlorophenol and bisphenol A indicating no potential risk for human health and demonstrating the technology potential for these compounds’ removal.
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•Membrane distillation removed phenols in trace concentrations from surface water.•Recovery rate (<63%) before flux decay was recommended to prevent performance loss.•The phenolic compounds retention in the raw water were more than 80%.•The technology reduced the surface water environmental and human health risk.