Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater

Car wash wastewater (CWW) is complex waste that may be effectively treated by the ultrafiltration (UF) process. However, one of the most important challenges in implementing this process on an industrial scale is the fouling phenomenon membrane aging. Indeed, these may lead to a reduction in UF perf...

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Main Authors: Wirginia Tomczak, Marek Gryta, Piotr Woźniak, Monika Daniluk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Membranes
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/66
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author Wirginia Tomczak
Marek Gryta
Piotr Woźniak
Monika Daniluk
author_facet Wirginia Tomczak
Marek Gryta
Piotr Woźniak
Monika Daniluk
author_sort Wirginia Tomczak
collection DOAJ
description Car wash wastewater (CWW) is complex waste that may be effectively treated by the ultrafiltration (UF) process. However, one of the most important challenges in implementing this process on an industrial scale is the fouling phenomenon membrane aging. Indeed, these may lead to a reduction in UF performance possibly associated with a loss in integrity of the fouled/aged membrane. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to provide a comprehensive investigation on the changes in the separation properties of aged FP100 ultrafiltration membranes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with respect to their application for long-term treatment of CWW. For this purpose, studies were conducted for new membranes and membranes previously used for over 5 years in a pilot plant. As a feed, solutions of dextran, solutions of model organism <i>Escherichia coli</i> and synthetic CWW were used. It has been found that PVDF membranes demonstrated poor stability when in frequent contact with chemicals periodically applied for membrane cleaning. Indeed, the aged membranes were characterised by the increased porosity. However, it is important to note that membranes aging had no significant impact on the permeate quality during the UF process of synthetic CWW. Indeed, the obtained permeate was characterised by the turbidity lower than 0.25 NTU. Likewise, with regard to the separation of <i>E. coli</i>, the aged PVDF membranes ensured the high process efficiency and over 99.99% bacterial retention. In the interest of the growing potential of PVDF membrane in CWW treatment, the results obtained in the current work complement the findings made in this field.
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spelling doaj-art-5ec5a4de082c45e7b4715232f9a0a3942025-08-20T01:48:41ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-02-011536610.3390/membranes15030066Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash WastewaterWirginia Tomczak0Marek Gryta1Piotr Woźniak2Monika Daniluk3Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 3 Seminaryjna Street, 85-326 Bydgoszcz, PolandFaculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Piastów Ave. 42, 71-065 Szczecin, PolandFaculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Piastów Ave. 42, 71-065 Szczecin, PolandFaculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 3 Seminaryjna Street, 85-326 Bydgoszcz, PolandCar wash wastewater (CWW) is complex waste that may be effectively treated by the ultrafiltration (UF) process. However, one of the most important challenges in implementing this process on an industrial scale is the fouling phenomenon membrane aging. Indeed, these may lead to a reduction in UF performance possibly associated with a loss in integrity of the fouled/aged membrane. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to provide a comprehensive investigation on the changes in the separation properties of aged FP100 ultrafiltration membranes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with respect to their application for long-term treatment of CWW. For this purpose, studies were conducted for new membranes and membranes previously used for over 5 years in a pilot plant. As a feed, solutions of dextran, solutions of model organism <i>Escherichia coli</i> and synthetic CWW were used. It has been found that PVDF membranes demonstrated poor stability when in frequent contact with chemicals periodically applied for membrane cleaning. Indeed, the aged membranes were characterised by the increased porosity. However, it is important to note that membranes aging had no significant impact on the permeate quality during the UF process of synthetic CWW. Indeed, the obtained permeate was characterised by the turbidity lower than 0.25 NTU. Likewise, with regard to the separation of <i>E. coli</i>, the aged PVDF membranes ensured the high process efficiency and over 99.99% bacterial retention. In the interest of the growing potential of PVDF membrane in CWW treatment, the results obtained in the current work complement the findings made in this field.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/66car wash wastewater<i>Escherichia coli</i>foulingmembrane agingpolyvinylidene fluoride membraneseparation properties
spellingShingle Wirginia Tomczak
Marek Gryta
Piotr Woźniak
Monika Daniluk
Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater
Membranes
car wash wastewater
<i>Escherichia coli</i>
fouling
membrane aging
polyvinylidene fluoride membrane
separation properties
title Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater
title_full Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater
title_fullStr Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater
title_full_unstemmed Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater
title_short Changes in the Separation Properties of Aged PVDF Ultrafiltration Membranes During Long-Term Treatment of Car Wash Wastewater
title_sort changes in the separation properties of aged pvdf ultrafiltration membranes during long term treatment of car wash wastewater
topic car wash wastewater
<i>Escherichia coli</i>
fouling
membrane aging
polyvinylidene fluoride membrane
separation properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/66
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AT piotrwozniak changesintheseparationpropertiesofagedpvdfultrafiltrationmembranesduringlongtermtreatmentofcarwashwastewater
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