Carbon-Based Membrane Bioreactors for the Anaerobic Decolorization of Dyes

Identifier:  TDX:3840

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3840

Authors:  Amin, Mohammad Shaiful Alam

Abstract:
Textile dyeing is the second-largest water polluter, producing one-fifth of worldwide wastewater. Dye-containing effluents can be harmful to both aquatic life and the aquatic ecosystem as a whole. Carbon-based membranes integrated with anaerobic biodegradation have been demonstrated to be as a unique wastewater treatment technique for dye effluents. The carbonaceous layer in compact bioreactor performed as biofilm support, redox mediator, and nano-filter concurrently, thereby increasing the dye decolorization efficiency. In this thesis several flat and tubular carbon-based membranes were synthesized from Matrimid 5218 polyimide and graphene oxide solutions over a UF ceramic flat element. Afterward, it explores the scope of flat and tubular ceramic-supported carbon membrane bioreactors and ceramic-supported graphene oxide membrane bioreactors to decolorize various structurally different azo and non-azo dyes. Regardless of the membrane bioreactor configuration (flat and tubular), initial feed concentration and permeate flux, the results revealed that the conductive surface of the graphene oxide (GO) membrane provides higher color removal of all dye solutions than carbonized membrane. Moreover, the biofilm formed over the membrane during the anaerobic decolorization of azo dyes was analyzed and the predominant microorganisms identified. These findings demonstrate that the combined phenomena in carbon-based bioreactors result in an efficient, cost-effective, and ecofriendly dye decolorization method.