Low-cost ceramic membranes: Manufacturing methods, cost analysis and application in water and wastewater treatment: A review

Abstract

Membrane technology is characterized by its low environmental impact, low energy consumption, and outstanding separation efficiency, making it a very promising alternative to other wastewater treatment processes. Ceramic membranes offer numerous advantages, including high thermal and chemical stability, high mechanical strength, outstanding durability, and excellent resistance to fouling. Recently, a great deal of research has gone into the manufacture of ceramic membranes with modified properties by varying the raw materials used. Choosing the right raw materials plays an essential role not only in optimizing membrane performance but also in reducing costs. This paper briefly describes raw material sources, characterization techniques, the different preparation methods used to manufacture ceramic membranes, and drying and sintering temperature. The paper also examines in detail the role of ceramic membranes in microfiltration and ultrafiltration processes for the treatment of water and wastewater with high concentrations of oils, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, total suspended solids, and heavy metals. This mainly includes treatment of oily wastewater, textile effluent, tannery and dairy wastewater, paper industry wastewater, metal ion removal, bacteria and virus separation, and seawater treatment.