TiO2 and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated polyester filter in bioreactor for wastewater treatment

Prepared by coating TiO₂/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on a low cost polyester filter cloth (22 μm), a composite membrane (10 μm pore size) was successfully used in an anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (A/O-MBR) for treating a simulate wastewater in removing nitrate/ammonium for water reuse in a polyester fiber production plant. Its permeate flux and the anti-fouling properties against extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were studied. Comparing with a commercial (0.1 μm) PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) membrane, similar effluent qualities were achieved, meeting the basic COD requirements for reuse. Anti-EPS accumulation, the TiO₂/PVA Polyester composite membrane had higher sustained permeability and required less frequent cleaning. Its filtration time was 4 times longer when operated at a higher flux than the PVDF membrane. The nano-TiO₂ enhances the interaction between PVA and polyester, forms a more hydrophilic surface, drastically reduces the contact angle with water and reduces EPS fouling. The slow (trans-membrane pressure) TMP rise, loose cake layer, the low filtration resistances, and the EPS, SEM analysis confirmed the advantage of the composite membrane. Potential in lowering the membrane cost, the operation and maintenance cost, and in enhancing MBR waste water treatment efficiency is expected by the use of this new composite membrane.