Application of coal fly ash based ceramic membranes in wastewater treatment: A sustainable alternative to commercial materials
Lawrence Sawunyama,
Olalekan C. Olatunde,
Opeyemi A. Oyewo,
Mokgadi F. Bopape,
Damian C. Onwudiwe
Affiliations
Lawrence Sawunyama
Materials Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa
Olalekan C. Olatunde
Materials Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa
Opeyemi A. Oyewo
Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, South Africa
Mokgadi F. Bopape
Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag x680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
Damian C. Onwudiwe
Materials Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa; Corresponding author. Materials Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.
The continued increase in the global population has resulted in increased water demand for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. These activities have led to the generation of high volumes of wastewater, which has an impact on water quality. Consequently, more practical solutions are needed to improve the current wastewater treatment systems. The use of improved ceramic membranes for wastewater treatment holds significant prospects for advancement in water treatment and sanitation. Hence, different studies have employed ceramic membranes in wastewater treatment and the search for low-cost and environmentally friendly starting materials has continued to engender research interests. This review focuses on the application of coal fly ash in membrane technology for wastewater treatment. The processes of membrane fabrication and the various limitations of the material. Several factors that influence the properties and performance of coal fly ash ceramic membranes in wastewater treatment are also presented. Some possible solutions to the limitations are also proposed, while cost analysis of coal fly ash-based membranes is explored to evaluate its potential for large-scale applications.
