Performance Evaluation of UF Membranes Derived from Recycled RO Membrane, a Step towards Circular Economy in Desalination

Reverse osmosis (RO) spiral wound membrane generation reached 93.5% in 2020, resulting 14,000 tons of used RO membranes being discarded annually into landfills, which is unprecedented. The current study aims to chemically convert the end-of-life membrane, followed by its performance evaluation and microbial removal efficiency on three different sources water, i.e., tap water (TW), integrated constructed wetland permeate (ICW-P), bio-rector (MBR-P), respectively. This was accomplished selecting 6 years spent Filmtech (LC-LE-4040) thin film composite type brackish reverse (BWRO) alkaline acidic cleaning for 2 h. Finally, conversion carried out 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with 300,000 ppm/h exposure active system (AS) using clean place CIP pump at bars 10 h duration. demonstrated 67% recovery 1% saltwater rejection, means now converted recycled (R-RO) or (UF) polyamide (PA) layer. Water TW, 68% ICW-P, 74% MBR-P, respectively, consistent rejection rate observed, while R-RO exhibited an effective COD 65.79%, 62.96%, 67.72% highest turbidity 96% ICW-P also recorded R-RO. For morphological properties, SEM analysis revealed a likewise appearance as UF pore size comparable membrane. most probable number (MPN) showed complete total coliforms after passing through These features made excellent choice drinking treatment wastewater polishing steps. solution can help developing nations be efficient resource contribute circular economy.