This study aimed to investigate the impact of real MBR effluent pre-ozonation on nanofiltration performances. Nanofiltration experiments were separately run with non-ozonated real MBR effluent, ozonated real MBR effluent and synthetic ionic solution mimicking the ionic composition of the real MBR effluent. The specific UV absorbance and the chemical oxygen demand were monitored during ozonation of real effluent, and the mineralization rate was calculated through the quantitative analysis of dissolved organic carbon. The membrane structure was characterized using SEM on virgin and fouled membrane surfaces and after different cleaning steps. The results confirm the low effect of the ozonation process in terms of organic carbon mineralization. However, the chemical oxygen demand and the specific UV absorbance were decreased by 50% after ozonation, demonstrating the efficiency of ozonation in degrading a specific part of the organic matter fraction. A benefic effect of pre-ozonation was observed, as it limits both fouling and flux decrease. This study shows that the partial mineralization of dissolved and colloidal organic matter by ozonation could have a positive effect on inorganic scaling and decrease severe NF membrane fouling.
Keywords: membrane fouling; nanofiltration; organic matter; ozonation; wastewater reuse.