Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yuyin Wang, Qiwei Chen, Yuxin Lin, Kuizu Su, Tianwei Hao, Li Liu, Guoping Sheng
Summary: Introduction of aerobic granules into FOMBRs can improve wastewater treatment efficiency, especially in the removal of ammonia-nitrogen. The results show that aerobic granule-based FOMBR achieved higher removal efficiency of ammonia-nitrogen compared to activated sludge-based FOMBR.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, Saint Moon Kim, Young Hye Yoon, Young-Bo Sim, Sang-Hyoun Kim
Summary: This study investigated the impact of high permeate flux on continuous biohydrogen production. The results showed that the optimum permeate condition could optimize hydrogen yield and production rate, leading to the formation of hydrogen-producing granules. Additionally, the dominant microbial species in the reactor changed under non-sterile conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiawen Yi, Meng Zhang, Weilong Song, Xinhua Wang
Summary: Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have attracted increasing interest for wastewater treatment and energy recovery. A novel membrane fouling mitigation strategy through optimizing initial water flux was proposed, and it was found that varying flux mode significantly prolonged membrane operating time by mitigating fouling. The mechanism of fouling mitigation was revealed to be the reduced interaction between foulants and membrane surface in low flux stage, leading to a thinner and looser fouling layer which could be further reduced in subsequent high flux stage.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaxi Jiang, Sherub Phuntsho, Nirenkumar Pathak, Qilin Wang, Jaeweon Cho, Ho Kyong Shon
Summary: Membrane fouling is a major challenge in membrane technology operation, and this study focuses on the relationship between membrane fouling and nitrifying bacteria activity. By adjusting ammonia concentration and optimizing operational conditions, efficient nitrification reaction was achieved, along with recommendations to mitigate membrane fouling.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Arman B. Yeszhanov, Ilya Korolkov, Saule S. Dosmagambetova, Maxim Zdorovets, Olgun Guven
Summary: Membrane distillation (MD) is a rapidly developing field used in desalination, purification, and concentration. This review focuses on recent studies regarding MD processes, membrane types, hydrophobization methods, and the use of track-etched membranes (TeMs), emphasizing their importance in water purification and concentration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vladlen S. Nichka, Semyon A. Mareev, Pavel Yu. Apel, Konstantin G. Sabbatovskiy, Vladimir D. Sobolev, Victor V. Nikonenko
Summary: This paper presents an adaptation of the microheterogeneous model for describing the electrical conductivity and diffusion permeability of a track-etched membrane (TEM). The model takes into account the presence of a loose layer between the pore solution and the membrane bulk material. The qualitative and quantitative agreement between the model calculations and experimental data is discussed.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zaichao Guo, Yujing Wang, Zhihao Liang, Zhenhua Zhang, Jianjun Xie, Xiaoyu Gui, Borui Hou, Dan Mo, Liang Lu, Huijun Yao
Summary: Due to the increase in oil spills and high organic contamination, a low-cost and efficient oil/water separation technology is necessary. Membrane separation technology, specifically PET ion track-etched membranes modified with hydrophobic propyl groups, was found to have a water contact angle of 140.81° and exhibited excellent hydrophobic properties. The modified membranes showed a high oil/water separation ratio of 99.87% and a flux of 12,158.24 L/m(2)center dot h with good running stability.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yusmel Gonzalez-Hernandez, Ulises Javier Jauregui-Haza
Summary: This article presents the modeling of a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) using experimental values at laboratory and pilot scale for urban and hospital wastewater treatment, and successfully develops an improved model integrating a biological model with a membrane fouling model, with improved precision and calibration.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qilin Gu, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, Weijie Poh, Chin Ho Kirk, Zhiyang Lyu, Lei Zhang, John Wang, How Yong Ng
Summary: The rational design of ceramic membrane cross-sectional microstructure has been shown to improve membrane filtration efficacy without affecting rejection performance. Gradient membrane layers generated through 3D spray-coating technique showed higher pure water flux and lower membrane resistance, with better filtration performance in aerobic membrane bioreactors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Heidari Farsani, Reza Jalilzadeh Yengejeh, Alireza Hajiseyed Mirzahosseini, Masoud Monavari, Amir Hessam Hassani, Nezamaddin Mengelizadeh
Summary: Comparative study on the efficiency of SEMBR and MBR in the treatment of landfill leachate showed that SEMBR had significant improvements in the removal of COD, PO43--P, NH3+-N, UV254, and heavy metals, with a higher removal efficiency of humic acid substances and the possibility of further treatment in wastewater treatment plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Gaetan Blandin, Albert Galizia, Hector Monclus, Geoffroy Lesage, Marc Heran, Xavier Martinez-Llado
Summary: Submerged forward osmosis (FO) is being widely used for treating and concentrating complex streams due to limitations of cross flow modules. This study designed submerged hollow fiber FO (Sub-HFFO) modules using commercial membranes, which showed similar performance to commercial cross flow modules. It was found that draw circulation in Sub-HFFO can be done in pulsing mode without mass-transfer limitation, thanks to homogeneous flow distribution and self-supporting membranes. Mixing near the membrane surface in the feed tank was identified as a key factor in mitigating fouling and external concentration polarization limitations.
Article
Biophysics
Cong Wang, Ze Wu, Bochao Liu, Panli Zhang, Jinhui Lu, Jinfeng Li, Peng Zou, Tingting Li, Yongshui Fu, Ruiai Chen, Ling Zhang, Qiangqiang Fu, Chengyao Li
Summary: The study developed a surrogate virus neutralization test (TEMFIS-sVNT) for rapid testing of neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, showing high sensitivity in COVID-19 patients and vaccinees, and high specificity in healthy blood donors.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stepan Bazhenov, Olga Kristavchuk, Margarita Kostyanaya, Anton Belogorlov, Ruslan Ashimov, Pavel Apel
Summary: The stability of liquid-liquid interface in membrane contactors is found to increase with decreasing pore size. It is preferable to supply the aqueous phase from the side of the membrane with larger pore size.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huy N. Hoang, Timothy A. Hill, David P. Fairlie
Summary: Research has shown that a single methyl group only increases membrane permeability when it connects or expands hydrophobic surface patches. Positional isomers with the same characteristics can have different permeabilities based on the size of the largest continuous hydrophobic surface patch, illuminating a key local molecular determinant of membrane permeability.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiayuan Ji, Yujie Chen, Yisong Hu, Akito Ohtsu, Jialing Ni, Yemei Li, Satoshi Sakuma, Toshimasa Hojo, Rong Chen, Yu-You Li
Summary: A 20 L hollow-fiber submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) was used to treat real domestic wastewater with varying HRTs. The study found that organic removal efficiency was good at HRTs between 6 and 12 h, but also acceptable at 4 h, albeit with lower biogas production and higher sludge yield. Controlling GSV and MLSS can decrease fouling rate and achieve sustainable operation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Zhixiao Zhang, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, Qilin Gu, Lei Zhang, Zhiyang Lyu, Xiaorong Zhang, How Yong Ng, John Wang
Summary: Ultrathin TiO2 microfiltration membranes with thicknesses in the range of 1-7 μm were prepared by coating TiO2 suspensions on purposely designed holey Al2O3 substrates. The effects of TiO2 top layer thickness on surface roughness, pore size distribution, and overall membrane performance were investigated systematically, showing that a membrane layer with a thickness of -3 μm, surface roughness of -109 nm, and an average pore size of 87 nm exhibited the best overall performance.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Samarpita Roy, Pradhan Nirakar, N. G. How Yong, Wuertz Stefan
Summary: Denitrifying phosphorus removal is an energy-efficient treatment technology that relies on microorganisms like Accumulibacter utilizing nitrate or nitrite, but lack of complete denitrification pathways may lead to accumulation of harmful intermediates like nitrous oxide. Genomic analyses suggest that the denitrification abilities of Accumulibacter vary based on lineage. Accumulibacter did not accumulate N2O in the presence of multiple electron acceptors, and denitrification kinetics were not limited by electron competition.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sunita Varjani, Parita Rakholiya, How Yong Ng, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, Huu Hao Ngo, Jo-Shu Chang, Jonathan W. C. Wong, Siming You, Jose A. Teixeira, Xuan-Thanh Bui
Summary: Rhamnolipid production from waste streams is gaining popularity due to its bio-based nature, diverse industrial applications, and environmentally friendly characteristics. Pseudomonas sp. is commonly used for rhamnolipid production, and various waste materials can be utilized in the process. Rhamnolipids are widely applied in different industries.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhiyang Lyu, Chuansheng Wang, Shuai Guo, Weijie Poh, Qilin Gu, Lei Zhang, John Wang, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, How Yong Ng
Summary: Surface patterning on filtration membranes provides benefits of increasing effective filtration area and enhancing back diffusion of foulants. This study investigates the relationship between pattern sizes and foulant particle sizes, and finds that the performance of ceramic membranes with different topographies varies in fouling alleviation. The best design for fouling alleviation is a combination of h = 120 μm and s = 500 μm.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Zhu, Hong You, How Yong Ng, Zhipeng Li, Binghan Xie, Hongying Chen, Yi Ding, Haili Tan, Feng Liu, Chunpeng Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the impacts of bio-carriers on membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for high saline mariculture wastewater treatment. The results showed that bio-carriers effectively improved the characteristics of cake layer, reduced the adhesion of proteins and humic acid-like materials on membrane surface, and shifted the precise composition of cake layers.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Chin Ho Kirk, Qilin Gu, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, Swee Ching Tan, How Yong Ng, John Wang
Summary: This paper introduces a new ceramic membrane preparation process called melding, which combines vacuum infiltration and pore tuning techniques to construct the ceramic membrane layer directly within the porous ceramic substrate, with high permeance and pollutant removal efficiency.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qilin Gu, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, Weijie Poh, Chin Ho Kirk, Zhiyang Lyu, Lei Zhang, John Wang, How Yong Ng
Summary: The rational design of ceramic membrane cross-sectional microstructure has been shown to improve membrane filtration efficacy without affecting rejection performance. Gradient membrane layers generated through 3D spray-coating technique showed higher pure water flux and lower membrane resistance, with better filtration performance in aerobic membrane bioreactors.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chuansheng Wang, Meiyue Ding, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, How Yong Ng
Summary: This study successfully developed a novel vibrating AnMBR (VAnMBR) and compared its performance with the conventional biogas-sparging AnMBR (BSAnMBR) in terms of organics removal, fouling control, and energy recovery. The VAnMBR achieved better organics removal and lower fouling rates, leading to significant energy savings and increased biogas recovery compared to the BSAnMBR.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingxian Su, Shujuan Huang, Hui Zhang, Zongsu Wei, How Yong Ng
Summary: This study investigated the abiotic transformations of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) by intermediates produced during biological nitrogen removal processes, including hydroxylamine (NH2OH), nitrite (NO2-), and nitric oxide (NO). The results showed that while NH2OH was not directly able to transform SMX, NO2- and NO could chemically transform SMX through various reactions. The study also determined the rate constants of SMX with NO2- and NO under different pH and oxygen conditions. The findings enhance our understanding of antibiotic fate during biological nitrogen removal and emphasize the role of reactive nitrogen species in antibiotic degradation.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Boyan Xu, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, Shujuan Huang, Meibo He, Kibaek Lee, How Yong Ng
Summary: This study identified lipid-related membrane fouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactors and revealed the significant role of lipids in fouling formation.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Weilong Song, Dong Xu, Xuan Yang, Jian Li, Pin Zhao, Xinhua Wang, How Yong Ng
Summary: Zwitterionic surface engineering was employed to improve the antifouling ability of hollow-fiber membranes. A flow-through coating method using zwitterionic organosilica material was used to introduce zwitterions onto the membrane, which was then incorporated into a membrane bioreactor (MBR) to demonstrate enhanced fouling control. The zwitterion-coated membrane showed superior fouling resistance in the MBR, with improved critical flux, extended fouling cycle, and higher resistance to key foulants such as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial polymer (SMP). The interfacial free energy analysis revealed that zwitterions altered the interfacial interaction between the membrane and the fouling substances, leading to elevated energy barrier for foulants attachment.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chuansheng Wang, Sumire Nakakoji, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, Peilin Zhu, Ryohei Tsukada, Masahiro Tatara, How Yong Ng
Summary: This study implemented a stepwise acclimatization strategy to optimize the methanogen populations, thus enhancing waste-to-energy efficiencies in food waste treatment at high organic loading rates (OLR). The findings provided valuable mechanistic and technical insights for future sustainable high-strength waste management, and revealed the influence of the strategy on microbial diversity and abundance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Boyan Xu, Xiaohui Lu, Yuyao Fu, Liyue Diao, Heng Liang, Sungwoo Bae, How Yong Ng, Jun Ma
Summary: Marine harmful algae bloom (HAB) poses a threat to desalination plants worldwide. This study proposes a new pretreatment technology using ferrous iron/peroxymonosulfate (Fe2+/PMS) for seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) under HAB. Fe2+/PMS achieved improved flocculation and removal of algal cells, turbidity, and algal organics matters (AOMs). The seawater matrix enhanced the generation of high-valent iron (FeO2+), leading to improved coagulation efficiency. Fe2+/PMS also resulted in reduced membrane fouling and lower operational cost compared to conventional coagulation techniques. This technology shows promise for high-performance and low-cost pretreatment for seawater desalination plants under HAB conditions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Han Zhang, Weijia Gong, Ying Xue, Weichen Zeng, Langming Bai, Guibai Li, Heng Liang, How Yong Ng
Summary: Simulated-sunlight assisted MABR (L-MABR) can enhance the removal efficiency of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and reduce the production of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Photolysis dominates the SMX removal in L-MABR, with the help of ultraviolet (UV) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to accelerate the degradation process of SMX.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuansheng Wang, Tze Chiang Albert Ng, How Yong Ng
Summary: This study proposed an optimized hybrid vibrating ceramic MBR with a settling zone to achieve long-term high-flux operation for domestic wastewater treatment. The introduction of the settling zone enhanced nitrogen removal efficiency and reduced membrane fouling, while also lowering biomass and EPS concentrations to mitigate fouling. This energy-efficient VCMBR has the potential to advance high-flux MBR technology for future decentralized wastewater treatment.