Enhanced EDCs removal by membrane fouling during the UF process

In the paper, fouling behavior of a synthetic secondary effluent was explored and influences of membrane fouling and operation pressures (25, 30, 50, and 75kPa) on rejection of five endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (estrone, 17β-estradiol, estriol, 17α-ethynyl estradiol, and bisphenol A) were explored during the membrane filtration process using 100kDa polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane under constant pressure dead-end filtration system. Fouling behavior of humic compounds was found to obey the rule of cake filtration. Fouled UF membrane revealed enhanced EDCs removal rate by 0.0% to 58.3% corresponding to different EDCs. Cakes grew under various pressures had different specific resistances and porosities. Cake formed under 50kPa had the lowest porosity 56.8% but had the best EDCs removal efficiency, which may be attributed to adsorption and size exclusion. Besides, EDCs revealed different penetration abilities through fouled membrane with E3 being the most easy to flow out. It can be concluded that 50kPa may be suitable for UF process operation aiming at EDCs removal and appropriate flux. •Filtration behavior of synthetic secondary effluent followed cake filtration law.•Membrane fouling formed by synthetic secondary effluent enhanced EDCs removal.•Clean and fouled membranes rejected EDCs mainly by adsorption and size exclusion.