Development and Testing of High-Performance Filtration Membranes for Industrial Wastewater Treatment Applications

Abstract

The Industrial wastewater discharge poses a critical threat to freshwater ecosystems due to the presence of suspended solids, organic pollutants, heavy metals, and recalcitrant chemical compounds. Conventional treatment methods often fail to achieve consistent effluent quality under fluctuating industrial loads, necessitating the development of advanced separation technologies. Membrane-based filtration systems have emerged as promising solutions due to their high separation efficiency, compact footprint, and operational flexibility. This study presents the development, physicochemical characterization, and performance evaluation of high-performance filtration membranes engineered for industrial wastewater treatment. Polymeric membranes were fabricated using controlled phase inversion techniques with tailored pore structures and surface properties to enhance permeability and fouling resistance. The membranes were tested under realistic wastewater conditions to assess flux behavior, contaminant rejection efficiency, fouling dynamics, and operational stability. Experimental results demonstrated significant improvements in permeate flux and pollutant removal compared to conventional membranes. The study further analyzes membrane transport mechanisms, fouling mitigation behavior, and long-term performance sustainability. The findings provide valuable insights into membrane design strategies for efficient and scalable industrial wastewater treatment systems.