MICROFILTRATION NANOFIBROUS MEMBRANE FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Production of nanofibers by electrospinning methods offers the potential of new high- flux filtration materials. High porosity together with small pore size include some of many advantages of nanofiber materials. Wide range of studies focused on usage of nanofiber materials for wastewater treatment has been published [1], [2], [3]. Our work is focused on the application of microfiltration nanofiber material (SpurTex (R) MF) in membrane bioreactors (MBR). The main aim of this work was to separate the activated sludge and removal of microbial water contamination. The microfiltration nanofiber based membrane with a medium pore size of 0.30 +/- 0.1 microns was prepared from polyurethane (PU) nanofibers using the electrospinning multinozzle device SpinLine 120. This material was used to design pilot flat sheet unit of membrane module with a membrane surface of 3.6 m(2). Long-term filtration efficiency and operating parameters of the module were monitored in real conditions of municipal wastewater treatment plant. The results showed good separation ability of nanofiber based membranes and long- term endurance in real conditions.