Ozonation using a stainless-steel membrane contactor: Gas-liquid mass transfer and pharmaceuticals removal from secondary-treated municipal wastewater

A tubular porous stainless steel membrane contactor was characterized in terms of ozone-water mass transport, as well as its application in removing 23 pharmaceuticals (PhACs) detected in the secondary-treated municipal wastewater, under continuous mode operation. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient (KLa) was evaluated based on liquid flow rate, gas flow rate, and ozone gas concentration. The KLa values were substantially improved with an increment in liquid flow rate (1.6 times from 30 to 70 dm3 h−1) and gas flow rate (3.6 times from 0.30 to 0.85 Ndm3 min−1) due to the improved mixing in the gas-liquid interface. For the lowest liquid flow rate (30 dm3 h−1), the water phase boundary layer (82%) exhibited the major ozone transfer resistance, but it became almost comparable with membrane resistance for the highest liquid flow rate (70 dm3 h−1). Additionally, the influence of the specific ozone dose (0.39, 0.53, and 0.69 g O3 g DOC−1) and ozone inlet gas concentration (CO3,g,in = 27, 80, and 134 g Nm−3) were investigated in the elimination of 23 PhACs found in secondary-treated municipal wastewater. An ozone dose of 0.69 g O3 g DOC−1 and residence time of 60 s resulted in the removal of 12 out of the 23 compounds over 80%, while 17 compounds were abated above 60%. The elimination of PhACs was strongly correlated with kinetic reaction constants values with ozone and hydroxyl radicals (kO3 and kHO•), leading to a characteristic elimination pattern for each group of contaminants. This study demonstrates the high potential of membrane contactors as an appealing alternative for ozone-driven wastewater treatment.