Sustainable textile wastewater treatment using modified multi-layer membranes with antifouling and antibacterial properties

Treatment and re-use of textile wastewater is an important challenge in preserving existing water resources and reducing discharge of harmful pollutants into the environment. In particular, in the water-stressed countries across Africa and Asia this is of greatest significance.

To contribute towards this, the project aims to produce low cost multi-layer membranes using nanocomposites and surface modifications to make membrane technology more affordable. For this, base composite membranes will be produced and then surface modified by adding layers of nanocomposites. Both base and modified membranes will then be characterized, tested and evaluated with regard to fouling and cleaning.

Finally, pilot-scale membrane modules will be produced and tested on real textile wastewaters.

The two-year project is a collaboration between the National Research Center of Cairo (Egypt), Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam (India) and Lund University (Sweden).

The project will combine an exchange of scientific expertise and materials between the partners with scientific networking activities. Thus, project meetings plus three workshops are planned within the framework of the project.

The impact of the project will not only increase collaboration between partners but will also support the establishment of membrane technology for textile wastewater treatment in the water-stressed countries like Egypt and India.