Mercury, Arsenic and Lead Removal by Air Gap Membrane Distillation: Experimental Study

Synthetic industrial wastewater samples containing mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) ions in various concentrations were prepared and treated by air gap membrane distillation (AGMD), a promising method for heavy metals removal. Three different membrane pore sizes (0.2, 0.45, and 1 μm) which are commercially available (TF200, TF450, and TF1000) were tested to assess their effectiveness in combination with various heavy metal concentrations and operating parameters (flow rate 1–5 L/min, feed temperature 40–70 °C, and pH 2–11). The results indicated that a high removal efficiency of the heavy metals was achieved by AGMD. TF200 and TF450 showed excellent membrane removal efficiency, which was above 96% for heavy metal ions in a wide range of concentrations. In addition, there was no significant influence of the pH value on the metal removal efficiency. Energy consumption was monitored at different membrane pore sizes and was found to be almost independent of membrane pore size and metal type.

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Superhydrophobic electrospun membrane for heavy metals removal by air gap membrane distillation (AGMD)

Desalination ◽

10.1016/j.desal.2017.07.022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 420 ◽

pp. 318-329 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Hadi Attia ◽

Shirin Alexander ◽

Chris J. Wright ◽

Nidal Hilal

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Membrane Distillation ◽

Air Gap ◽

Electrospun Membrane ◽

Heavy Metals Removal ◽

Air Gap Membrane Distillation ◽

Metals Removal

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Photothermal air gap membrane distillation for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater

Chemical Engineering Journal ◽

10.1016/j.cej.2021.133909 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 431 ◽

pp. 133909

Author(s):

Alaa Shaheen ◽

Salwa AlBadi ◽

Botagoz Zhuman ◽

Hanifa Taher ◽

Fawzi Banat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Metal Ions ◽

Heavy Metal Ions ◽

Membrane Distillation ◽

Air Gap ◽

Air Gap Membrane Distillation

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Modelling of air gap membrane distillation and its application in heavy metals removal

Desalination ◽

10.1016/j.desal.2017.09.027 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 424 ◽

pp. 27-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Hadi Attia ◽

Muhammad S. Osman ◽

Daniel J. Johnson ◽

Chris Wright ◽

Nidal Hilal

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Membrane Distillation ◽

Air Gap ◽

Heavy Metals Removal ◽

Air Gap Membrane Distillation ◽

Metals Removal

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Comparison between dual-layer (superhydrophobic–hydrophobic) and single superhydrophobic layer electrospun membranes for heavy metal recovery by air-gap membrane distillation

Desalination ◽

10.1016/j.desal.2018.04.003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 439 ◽

pp. 31-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Hadi Attia ◽

Daniel J. Johnson ◽

Chris J. Wright ◽

Nidal Hilal

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Membrane Distillation ◽

Metal Recovery ◽

Air Gap ◽

Air Gap Membrane Distillation ◽

Electrospun Membranes

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Investigation of Heavy Metal Effects on the Anaerobic Co-Digestion Process of Waste Activated Sludge and Septic Tank Sludge

International Journal of Chemical Engineering ◽

10.1155/2019/5138060 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Quang-Minh Nguyen ◽

Duy-Cam Bui ◽

Thao Phuong ◽

Van-Huong Doan ◽

Thi-Nham Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Activated Sludge ◽

Removal Efficiency ◽

Biogas Production ◽

Cod Removal ◽

Septic Tank ◽

Waste Activated Sludge ◽

Digestion Process ◽

Cod Removal Efficiency

The effect of copper, zinc, chromium, and lead on the anaerobic co-digestion of waste activated sludge and septic tank sludge in Hanoi was studied in the fermentation tests by investigating the substrate degradation, biogas production, and process stability at the mesophilic fermentation. The tested heavy metals were in a range of concentrations between 19 and 80 ppm. After the anaerobic tests, the TS, VS, and COD removal efficiency was 4.12%, 9.01%, and 23.78% for the Cu(II) added sample. Similarly, the efficiencies of the Zn(II) sample were 1.71%, 13.87%, and 16.1% and Cr(VI) efficiencies were 15.28%, 6.6%, and 18.65%, while the TS, VS, and COD removal efficiency of the Pb(II) added sample was recorded at 16.1%, 17.66%, and 16.03% at the concentration of 80 ppm, respectively. Therefore, the biogas yield also decreased by 36.33%, 31.64%, 31.64%, and 30.60% for Cu(II), Zn(II), Cr(VI), and Pb(II) at the concentration of 80 ppm, compared to the raw sample, respectively. These results indicated that Cu(II) had more inhibiting effect on the anaerobic digestion of the sludge mixture than Zn(II), Cr(VI), and Pb(II). The relative toxicity of these heavy metals to the co-digestion process was as follows: Cu (the most toxic) > Zn > Cr > Pb (the least toxic). The anaerobic co-digestion process was inhibited at high heavy metal concentration, which resulted in decreased removal of organic substances and produced biogas.

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