Microbial Approach of Biofiltration in Industrial Wastewater Treatment for the Sustainability of Environment

Table of Contents

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. Microorganisms in Bioreactor

   Djaber Tazdaït, Rym Salah Tazdaït

   Abstract

   Due to their morphology, structure, small size and rapid growth, microorganisms have exceptional potential for synthesis and degradation. Nowadays, microorganisms are used in many sectors, such as food and biological industries, fine chemistry, health, energy, and environmental protection. A bioreactor is a container with different geometries in which biochemical reactions are catalyzed by biological systems, including microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae), animal or plant cells, and enzymes. The bioreactors are designed to meet the requirements of the biological systems by regulating different culture conditions, including nutrient concentration, temperature and pH, agitation, and aeration. They are applied in the production of various metabolites, including primary metabolites (amino acids, enzymes, etc.), secondary metabolites (antibiotics, hormones, etc.), or for the biotreatment of solid or liquid wastes. This chapter will mainly review the various types of bioreactors (cell-free and cell-immobilized bioreactors) applied in both metabolite production and pollutant biodegradation processes.

3. Chapter 2. Algal Biochar for Removal of Refractory Pollutants

   Bishwarup Sarkar, Sougata Ghosh

   Abstract

   Biochar has recently emerged as one of the promising alternative to conventional methods employed for the remediation of different pollutants in the environment. The physiochemical properties of these carbonaceous materials along with their porous nature and the presence of functional groups on the surface make biochars an effective adsorbent of various pollutants. Hence, biochars produced from various organic sources are extensively researched for the removal of various refractory pollutants. Algae-based biochars are efficient adsorbents due to their enhanced porosity, active functional groups and large surface area. Therefore, this chapter discusses in detail, the application of biochars produced from algal biomass for the removal of pollutants that are persistent in the environment. Various studies have demonstrated the algal biochar synthesized from biomass of Rhizoclonium riparium, Saccharina japonica, Sargassum fusiforme, Scenedesmus dimorphus, and others can effectively remove hazardous metals such as uranium, cadmium, cobalt and even copper and zinc through electrostatic interactions, precipitation as well as complexation with the surface functional groups. Likewise, organic pollutants which include toxic dyes and antibiotics can also be removed by biochar generated from algal biomass of Eucheuma spinosum, Ascophyllum nodosum, Chlorella sp., Cystoseira barbata, Enteromorpha prolifera, Sargassum crassifolium, and Ulva ohnoi through various removal mechanisms. Thus, additional research on the feasibility of utilizing algal biochar for remediation of refractory pollutants can help in developing powerful strategy to ensure effective treatment of industrial effluents before releasing them in the environment.

4. Chapter 3. Application of Membrane Technology for Wastewater Treatment

   L. Dharani, R. Umapriya, J. Rohan, G. Surendran, M. Gokila, M. Judith Infanta

   Abstract

   Wastewater production is inescapable since it is a necessary element of the production chain in every industry. As a consequence, fresh, clean water will be scarcer in several parts of the globe in the not-too-distant future. Membrane technology refers to a variety of distinct separation techniques. Membrane separation has been a popular separation technique during the last decade. The fundamental benefit of membrane technology is that it produces steady water without the use of chemicals, uses very little energy, and is a simple and organized process. The current book chapter discusses the importance of membrane technology in wastewater treatment, recent development in membrane technology along with a detailed review of the application of membrane technologies such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis in wastewater treatment. The chapter concludes with a review of the challenges and trends in the use of membrane technology for wastewater treatment in the near future.

5. Chapter 4. Role of Microfiltration in the Treatment of Wastewater

   Jyoti Gulia, Nater Pal Singh, Anita Rani Santal

   Abstract

   Due to an increase exploitation of limited water resources and the necessity to maintain acceptable quality of the water, considerable attention has recently been focused on the 3R strategy (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle). Disposal of wastewater in water bodies has serious environmental consequences. Microfiltration is a new technique that employs membrane to remove both organic and inorganic pollutants from polluted wastewater. It is a low cost technology slowly gaining attraction because of its straightforward operation and waste removal efficiency. It is a physical filtration process that separates germs and suspended particles from fluid by passing it through a special pore sized layer. Microfiltration membrane technology is now widely used in the treatment of a wide variety of different kinds of wastewater, including oily wastewater and heavy metal wastewater, as a result of the development of membrane technology as well as the development of other emerging technologies in combination with it. The microfiltration technique and its use in the treatment of wastewater are discussed in this article. It offers a reliable assurance for the continuation of research into and application of water purification techniques.

6. Chapter 5. Advancements in Nanofiltration

   Ajay B. Urgunde, S. Murugavelh

   Abstract

   The Nanofiltration (NF) technique has been widely adopted in the past few decades because of the qualities which fall in between the range of ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO). The NF has been explored widely in the purification of sewage wastewater, industrial wastewater, and desalination systems. This system effectively removes organic molecules, most viruses and bacteria, organic matter, and a wide range of salts. However, still, there is room for improvement in efficiency and mitigation of its fouling and scaling issues. In this context, this chapter will provide a brief overview of the most current breakthroughs and advancements in the field of NF. The chapter will cover the fundamental of the NF process, the various steps involved in NF membrane fabrication, and its characteristics. The possible efforts that have been carried toward the NF fouling, its prevention, and mitigation will be briefly discussed. The chapter will end with the prospects, possible recommendations, and the research and development with the key points to improve the efficiency of NF.

7. Chapter 6. A Scope of Membrane-Based Approach in the Treatment of Wastewater and Its Application

   B. Vijayageetha, K. S. Shreenidhi, Gokul Sriman

   Abstract

   Over several decades, a technological race in environmental science battling to produce pollutant-free water resources to diminish the rate of water scarcity. Water is nature’s manifesting element which is fundamental for the survival of all living creatures. The degree of pollutants, contaminants, and toxicants released in lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams by means of human deeds causes the deterioration in the standard quality of water. An ineffective and inefficient technique of conventional wastewater treatment paved the way for the emergence of a membrane-based approach. A modern physical operation based on membranes to treat wastewater involves the process of separating a different range of particles to reclaim and reuse the water. Based on membrane processes, different separation mechanisms have been developed such as microfiltration (MF), nanofiltration (NF), forward osmosis (FO), and reverse osmosis (RO). The aim of this chapter is to provide the applications of membrane-based technology associated with the treatment of wastewater.

8. Chapter 7. Advances in Electrospun Nanostructured Membranes for Wastewater Treatments: Challenges and Opportunities

   Raúl Castellanos-Espinoza, Noé Arjona, Beatriz Liliana España-Sánchez

   Abstract

   Polymer membranes have been successfully employed as a low-cost alternative for wastewater and water purification. The advantages of using polymer membranes include their physicochemical stability, processability, and mechanical performance. However, the intrinsic fouling process can block or compromise the performance of the membrane. In particular, the electrospun of polymer fibers has gained attention due to their high surface area, porosity and uniformity, offering enhanced working flux under similar conditions compared to conventional membranes. The recent challenges in the design of electrospun nanostructured membranes (ENMs) are related to the improvement of permeability, mechanical stability, selectivity, and longer half-life, where the use of nanostructured materials represents an innovative opportunity in the development of functional systems. The present chapter describes the analysis of the electrospun technique applied for the fabrication of ENMs, emphasizing the recent challenges and opportunities from the fiber morphology and nanomaterials incorporation, aiming to produce functional membranes for efficient wastewater and water filtration.

9. Chapter 8. Photocatalytic Membrane Reactors for Wastewater Treatment: TiO2-Based Membranes

   Carolina Martínez-Sánchez, Antonia Sandoval-González, Carlos Hernández Rodríguez

   Abstract

   Access to clean water is a worldwide challenge, which is why it is considered one of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations. However, despite significant progress already made, many people still lack this service. An efficient alternative to alleviate this problem are photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs). These have proven to be a technology with great potential for degrading organic pollutants and water treatment. Therefore, this chapter presents a general description of the basics of PMRs, the use of PMRs in the treatment of contaminated water, different configurations, key operating conditions, and some recent experimental results. Membranes are an interesting element of these reactors, methods for the fabrication of TiO₂-based membranes are reviewed and the advantages and disadvantages of PMRs, such as membrane contamination and strategies to control it, are discussed. Finally, future research perspectives on the development of this promising technology are listed.

10. Chapter 9. Treatment of Industrial Waste Water: Nanofiltration- a Unique Approach

    Paramita Ray, Veerababu Polisetti

    Abstract

    Industrialization is an inevitable part of the progress of civilization. Amid several positive aspects of industrialization, it has a major derogative effect i.e. environmental pollution. Industrial waste water is a major contributor to environmental pollution and hence it needs to be treated to remove harmful contaminants before discharging to the environment. Membrane technology has emerged as one of the most appropriate technologies to treat industrial waste water and in the arena of membranes, nanofiltration membrane is the most advanced one. These are loose RO membranes for which pore size varies between 0.5–5 nm and operating pressure ranges between 5–15 bars. For these charged porous membranes the rejection is governed by both Donnan exclusion and sieving mechanism. These membranes have wide applications in treating effluents from textile, dye, leather, food, pulp and paper and metal industries. NF technology is equally applicable to remove hardness and heavy metals from ground and contaminated water.

11. Chapter 10. Bio-Membrane Based Solutions for Wastewater Treatment

    Smitali Patil, Akhil Nair, Jaya Lakkakula, Nilesh S. Wagh

    Abstract

    In recent years, Natural Biopolymers are been investigated in various aspects of research from drug delivery systems to being fabricated as a membrane for wastewater remediation. Today's growing pollution within the water bodies has spurred the investigation of green non-conventional technologies for wastewater remediation. Water pollution and its remediation are two critical issues that needs to be tackled soon. The ever increasing demand of freshwater supply has highlighted the need to come up with better and innovative measures of wastewater treatment. Heavy metals and toxic dyes are predominant contents of wastewater/effluents coming from several industries like tanning, textiles, etc. Conventional methods of removing these pollutants tend to be harmful for the environment and also costlier as the materials used generally are toxic and are not reusable. For this reason, with the developments in nanotechnology today, Biomembranes, or membranes synthesized from biopolymers like beta-cyclodextrin, acacia, chitosan, alginate, cellulose, etc. have come up as the proper alternative owing to their biodegradability, non toxicity, reusability and recyclability. The recently developed methods like electrospinning, 3D printing, particulate leaching, etc. have made production of novel biomembranes easier. Characterization methods like SEM, TEM, TGA, XRD, etc. help us to understand and compare the properties of the formed membranes better, which can be further used to improve its performance. In this article, we shall explore and discuss about two such biomembranes and their applications for efficient wastewater treatment.

12. Chapter 11. Application of Composite Membrane-Based Technology in Treatment of Textile Industry Effluents

    Somak Chatterjee, Ankit Pal

    Abstract

    Technological innovations have repeatedly made our lives easier over the centuries. Supplies have increased manifold to compete with growing consumer demands. For example, textile industries serve untired to meet the expectations of their end-user by gradually increasing the production. It is mainly characterized by fabric, which essentially starts with fibers, that is processed into making yarns and finally combined. These intermediate steps in a textile plant require huge quantity of freshwater feed, which is eventually converted to an effluent, containing colouring dyes, toxic chemicals and insoluble wastes. Additionally, functional textiles require water-repellent, anti-fungal agents and non-crease fabrics, which are persistent contaminants, thereby adding to environmental degradation. Conventional treatment methods, such as, adsorption, coagulation, oxidation, etc., are employed for their removal. However, these methods have associated limitations. This chapter discusses about a novel approach, i.e., composite membrane-based removal technique, which can prove to be an economic and feasible option for treatment of textile effluents.