Pressure-driven membrane processes, such as nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) hold great promise for heavy metal removal due to their ease of use, small footprint and high efficiency. Nanofiltration is a membrane-based process used to remove metals from wastewater and colloidal materials, operating at low transmembrane pressures. Recently, RO membranes operating at ultra-low pressures, similar to nanofiltration have been developed. In this research line, our work focuses on the elimination of micro-pollutants from household and industrial effluents to WHO standards and the permeate can be reused. Furthermore, a hybrid process of RO or NF coupled with membrane crystallization (MCr) is being investigated to recover useful compounds from the retentate. Finally, anti-biofouling nanofiltration membrane separator in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is also being explored to treat textile wastewater.
Researchers : Vercus Lumami, Wuhib Zeine Ousman