Synthesis of ceramic ultrafiltration membrane and application in membrane bioreactor process for pesticide remediation from wastewater

The efficiency of membrane bioreactor (MBR) process involving indigenously developed ceramic membranes was explored for management of wastewater containing toxic pesticides like atrazine. Performance of the MBR process was compared for clay-alumina based ceramic microfiltration membranes (MF-MBR) with that of an indigenously developed new ceramic ultrafiltration membrane (UF-MBR). The UF membrane was prepared on the macroporous support tubes using iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by green route from Aloe vera leaf extract, with chitosan as matrix and glutaraldehyde as cross-linker. The synthesized membrane was characterized in terms of X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pore diameter and molecular weight cut off, etc. Microorganisms isolated from activated sludge of a pilot scale MBR plant were optimized to enhance the biodegradation efficiency of atrazine. Compared to the MF-MBR process, the UF-MBR process showed about 15% increase in atrazine removal, lower membrane fouling and complete separation of the biomass in the synthetic system. Performance of the UF-MBR process was further analyzed with domestic and industrial wastewater simulated with atrazine. In addition, toxicity assay of the UF-MBR treated water was performed on an aquatic model, Radix balthica indicating that the permeate could be safely disposed into the environment.