title: Application of nano TiO2 modified hollow fiber membranes in algal membrane bioreactors for high-density algae cultivation and wastewater polishing.
abstract: Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes with nano-TiO2 (5% of PVDF by mass, average size = 25 nm) additives were fabricated and applied for high-density algae (Chlorella vulgaris) cultivation. At the average light intensity of 121 μmol/m(2)/s, the algal membrane bioreactors (A-MBR) operated at a hydraulic retention time of 0.5d and an average solids retention time of 25d had an average algae biomass concentration of 2350 ± 74 mg/L (in COD units) and algal biomass production rate of 6.5 ± 0.1g/m(2)/d. The A-MBRs removed an average of 78% of phosphorus from the wastewater at the initial total phosphorus concentrations ranging from 3.5 to 8.6 mg/L. The nano TiO2-embedded membranes had improved surface hydrophilicity with its total resistance about 50% lower than that of the control. This study demonstrated that PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposite membranes had a better antifouling property for high-density algae cultivation and wastewater polishing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
authors.forename: Weiming
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
authors.forename: Baolin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States. Electronic address: huzh@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010758:Phosphorus; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014025:Titanium; D062065:Wastewater; C009495:titanium dioxide; C024865:polyvinylidene fluoride; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers
keywords: High-density algae cultivation; Membrane bioreactor; Membrane fabrication; Nano TiO(2); Wastewater polishing