Polyethersulfone/HFO mixed matrix membrane for enhanced oily wastewater rejection

The recent growth of oil and gas industry has led to the increase of oily wastewater release. Membrane technology has been in the spotlight in recent advancement to treat the oily wastewater. Fouling due to surfactant adsorption and/or oil droplets plugging the pore has become one of the major hindrances in most of the research on oily wastewater treatment. In this work, self-synthesized hydrous ferric dioxide nanoparticles (HFO NPs) via chemical precipitation method were incorporated in polyethersulfone (PES) to fabricate a novel nanocomposite mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for ultrafiltration (UF). The morphologies and physicochemical properties of prepared HFO NPs and MMMs were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM), contact angle goniometer, before further subjected to water permeation test and oil rejection test. It was found that contact angle of membrane decreased remarkably with an increase in HFO nanoparticle loading from 70° to 38° at which proved its improved hydrophilicity which led to a significant rise in permeate flux, achieving 168.06 L/m2h bar in comparison to 63.67 L/m2h bar shown by the plain PES membrane. Total rejection of oil (100% rejection) demonstrated by the MMMs has confirmed the superior potential of PES/HFO UF membrane for total purification of oily wastewater especially to be reused in oilfield and refinery processes as well as to be released to the environment

Removal of lead(II) from aqueous solution using polyacrylonitrile/zinc oxide activated carbon nanofibers

This study aimed to prepare activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and zinc oxide (ZnO) via electrospinning process for removal of lead from aqueous solution. The ACNFs/ZnO were characterized in term of its morphological changes, specific surface area and functional groups analysis using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, respectively. The results showed that the specific surface area (SSA) of the ACNFs/ZnO were higher than the neat ACNFs which were 163.04 m2/g as compared to 67.6 m2/g, accordingly. FESEM analysis illustrated that composite ACNFs possessed more compact fibers with presence of ZnO beads and smaller fiber diameter whereas neat ACNFs possessed more aligned nanofibers with larger fiber diameter. Adsorption study showed that the composite ACNFs possessed higher capacity which was 120.3 mg/g as compared to 77.6 mg/g of neat ACNFs. This excellent adsorption performance of ACNFs PAN/ZnO exhibits the potential of this composite adsorbent to solve the environmental issue of heavy metal contamination. © 2017, Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences

Indoor Air Contaminant Adsorption By Palm Shell Activated Carbon Filter – A Proposed Study

Indoor air contaminant is a public issue. High Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter is becoming main issue that needs to solve. Therefore, this study focus on improving indoor air quality by using activated carbon (AC) for Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (VAC). It investigated because AC is widely explored but developing AC as a filter for VAC is not developed yet. The AC prepared by physical and chemical activation process and combination both of process and it was activated by H3PO4 and NaOH. Characterization and analysis process are consists of water content, ash content, bulk density, adsorption capacity, iodine number and indoor air filtering analysis. Treated activated carbon potential in achieving higher surface area of the structure to the range of 950 to 1150 m2/g for gas phase application. The higher surface area will adsorb more air pollution. Maintained properties of activated carbon such as hardness, density, pore, extractable ash, particle size (12 by 40 mesh) and pH are becoming the main concern in achieving high quality of activated carbon

Indoor Air Contaminant Adsorption By Palm Shell Activated Carbon Filter – A Proposed Study

Indoor air contaminant is a public issue. High Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO2), and particulate matter is becoming main issue that needs to solve. Therefore, this study focus on improving indoor air quality by using activated carbon (AC) for Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (VAC). It investigated because AC is widely explored but developing AC as a filter for VAC is not developed yet. The AC prepared by physical and chemical activation process and combination both of process and it was activated by H3PO4 and NaOH. Characterization and analysis process are consists of water content, ash content, bulk density, adsorption capacity, iodine number and indoor air filtering analysis. Treated activated carbon potential in achieving higher surface area of the structure to the range of 950 to 1150 m2/g for gas phase application. The higher surface area will adsorb more air pollution. Maintained properties of activated carbon such as hardness, density, pore, extractable ash, particle size (12 by 40 mesh) and pH are becoming the main concern in achieving high quality of activated carbon

Preparation of polyacrylnitrile (PAN)/ Manganese oxide based activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) for adsorption of Cadmium (II) from aqueous solution

In this work, activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) from precursor polyacrylnitrile (PAN) and manganese oxide (MnO2) were prepared via electrospinning process. The electrospun PAN/MnO2-based ACNFs were characterised in term of its morphological structure and specific surface area using SEM and BET analysis respectively. The comparative adsorption study of cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solution between the neat ACNFs, composite ACNFs and commercial granular activated carbon was also conducted. SEM analysis illustrated that composite ACNFs have more compact fibers with presence of MnO2 beads with smaller fiber diameter of 437.2 nm as compared to the neat ACNFs which is 575.5 nm. BET analysis elucidated specific surface area of ACNFs/MnO2 to be 67 m2/g. Under adsorption study, it was found out that Cd (II) removal by ACNFs/MnO2 was the highest (97%) followed by neat ACNFs (96%) and GAC (74%)

Preparation of polyacrylonitrile/ manganese dioxide- based activated carbon nanofibers for adsorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solution

In this work, activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) from precursor polyacrylnitrile (PAN) and manganese oxide (MnO2) were prepared via electrospinning process. The electrospun PAN/MnO2-based ACNFs were characterised in term of its morphological structure and specific surface area using SEM and BET analysis respectively. The comparative adsorption study of cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solution between the neat ACNFs, composite ACNFs and commercial granular activated carbon was also conducted. SEM analysis illustrated that composite ACNFs have more compact fibers with presence of MnO2 beads with smaller fiber diameter of 437.2 nm as compared to the neat ACNFs which is 575.5 nm. BET analysis elucidated specific surface area of ACNFs/MnO2 to be 67 m2/g. Under adsorption study, it was found out that Cd (II) removal by ACNFs/MnO2 was the highest (97%) followed by neat ACNFs (96%) and GAC (74%)

Hydrogen as a battery for a rooftop household solar power generation unit

Modification of membrane through additives have been widely implemented to improve membrane properties. With integration of hydrophobic particles, it does not only improve water flux permeation but also able to enhance antifouling properties of polymer membrane. This study presents a remarkable synthesis of LTA type zeolite from a locally available kaolin found in peninsula Malaysia. The effect of the synthesis protocol on the phase purity of the synthesized zeolite was evaluate by qualitative and quantitative XRD analysis using the Xpert highscore plus software. The prepared zeolite was characterized by FTIR, SEM and BET. The microwave synthesis has shown the capability of reducing the synthesis time by 4-8 times and the product shows a smaller particle size distribution for a better surface area as compared to the clinoptilolite natural zeolite. The surface area, pore size and the size distribution of the synthesized zeolite portrayed its potentials for use as an addictive in membrane technology

A comparative study of zno-pvp and zno-peg nanoparticles activity in membrane photocatalytic reactor (mpr) for industrial dye wastewater treatment under different membranes

Membrane photocatalytic reactor (MPR) has gained immense research interest as valuable dye wastewater treatment over the conventional treatment due to its advantages. The effect of zinc oxide in the presence of polyethylene glycol (ZnO-PEG) nanoparticles in MPR under different membranes was studied in order to investigate the interaction of photocatalyst towards the degradation of industrial dye wastewater. The results revealed that ZnO-PEG nanoparticles and UF-PPA membrane are a great approach in MPR and produced good permeate quality in terms of SDWW degradation (100%), turbidity removal (100%), COD reduction (97.37 +/- 0.06%) and electrical conductivity removal (92.38 +/- 0.66%). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) observation and contact angle analysis result confirmed that the presence of ZnO-PEG nanoparticles and UF-PPA membrane have great potential to improve fouling mitigation from being occurred in MPR. Hence, this research contributed a positive impact on the long-term use of water bodies and enhance the implementation of MPR for the industrial sector

Characterizations of polysulfone/ferrihydrite mixed matrix membranes for water/wastewater treatment

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ferrihydrite (Fh) nanoparticle loading on the physicochemical properties of polysulfone (PSf) membranes fabricated via the phase inversion method. The morphologies and physicochemical properties of prepared Fh and PSf/Fh mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transmission infra-red (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), pure water flux analysis, contact angle measurement, and membrane porosity analysis. FTIR study indicated that a new O-H band was formed when Fh was added into the membrane matrix. SEM analysis showed the formation of typical asymmetric membrane structures with elongated fingerlike and looser porous layers. Increasing the loading of Fh significantly enhanced membrane pure water flux from 230.2 L/m2•h (M-Fh 0%) to 726.6 L/m2•h (M-Fh 15.3%), attributed to the improved membranes structures, membranes wettability, surface roughness, and overall porosity. The findings suggest incorporation of Fh into PSf membranes improves physicochemical properties of the membranes which are applicable for water/wastewater treatment

Membrane technology enhancement in oil-water separation. A review

Membrane separation processes have become an emerging technology for the treatment of oily wastewater due to high oil removal efficiency and relatively facile operational process. This review will highlight the recent development of advanced membrane technology such as surface modification, addition of inorganic particles in polymer membrane and the development of ceramic membranes. Additionally, the effect of operating parameters on the membrane performance is discussed in detail. Future outlooks in oil-water membrane separation are also discussed to further broaden the research and development related to this technology