INVESTIGATION OF nZVI AND TiO2 NANOPARTICLES EFFECT ON THE MEMBRANE FOULING RATE IN ANAEROBIC MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR

Year 2026, Volume: 14 Issue: 1, 261 - 273, 20.03.2026

Serdar Göçer , Kevser Cırık

https://doi.org/10.21923/jesd.1810739

https://izlik.org/JA24GH43YA

Abstract

In recent years, membrane bioreactor technology (MBRs) has been increasingly used for wastewater treatment. However, the MBR system faces membrane fouling problems, which lead to higher operating costs, membrane replacement expenses, and reduced competitiveness. Therefore, understanding membrane fouling is essential not only for solving these issues but also as a key factor in advancing membrane technology. In this study, the effects of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the membrane fouling rate in a laboratory-scale submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treating landfill leachate (LFL) were investigated under controlled conditions (50-300 mg/L nZVI and TiO2). Additionally, both nZVI and TiO2 nanoparticles were compared regarding their impact on membrane fouling. The optimal membrane performance was observed at 100 mg/L TiO2 and 100 mg/L nZVI, with membrane fouling rates of 36 mbar/day and 34 mbar/day, respectively. The addition of TiO2 and nZVI significantly reduced membrane fouling (by 40% with TiO2 and 70% with nZVI) in the AnMBR. When comparing nZVI and TiO2 regarding membrane fouling rate, nZVI demonstrated the best performance. Based on the results, applying NPs in MBR systems significantly improves performance and reduces membrane fouling.

Keywords

Nanoparticles , Membrane bioreactor , Landfill leachate , nZVI , TiO2

Thanks

The Scientific Research Unit of Çukurova University supported this article. Project No: FDK-2019–11782.

ANAEROBİK MEMBRAN BİYOREAKTÖRÜNDE nZVI VE TiO2 NANOPARTİKÜLLERİNİN MEMBRAN KİRLENME ORANI ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI

https://izlik.org/JA24GH43YA

Abstract

Son yıllarda, membran biyoreaktör teknolojisi (MBR'ler) atıksu arıtımında giderek daha fazla kullanılmaktadır. Ancak MBR sistemi, daha yüksek işletme maliyetlerine, membran değiştirme masraflarına ve azalan rekabet gücüne yol açan membran kirlenme sorunlarıyla karşı karşıyadır. Bu nedenle, membran kirlenmesini anlamak yalnızca bu sorunları çözmek için değil, aynı zamanda membran teknolojisinin ilerlemesinde de önemli bir faktör olarak önemlidir. Bu çalışmada, nano sıfır değerlikli demir (nZVI) ve titanyum dioksit (TiO2) nanopartiküllerinin, LFL arıtan laboratuvar ölçekli bir batık anaerobik membran biyoreaktörde (AnMBR) membran kirlenme oranı üzerindeki etkileri kontrollü koşullar altında (50-300 mg/L nZVI ve TiO2) incelenmiştir. Ayrıca hem nZVI hem de TiO2 nanopartikülleri membran kirlenmesi üzerindeki etkileri açısından karşılaştırılmıştır. Optimum membran performansı, sırasıyla 36 mbar/gün ve 34 mbar/gün membran kirlenme oranlarıyla 100 mg/L TiO2 ve 100 mg/L nZVI'da gözlenmiştir. TiO2 ve nZVI ilavesi, AnMBR'de membran kirlenmesini önemli ölçüde azaltmıştır (TiO2 ile %40, nZVI ile %70). Membran kirlenme oranı açısından nZVI ve TiO2 karşılaştırıldığında, nZVI en iyi performansı göstermiştir. Sonuçlara dayanarak, MBR sistemlerine NP uygulanması performansı önemli ölçüde artırmakta ve membran kirlenmesini azaltmaktadır.

Keywords

Nanopartiküller , Membran Biyoreaktör , Çöp sızıntı suları , nZVI , TiO2

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