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The role of solubility on the rejection of trace organics by nanofiltration membrane: exemplified with disinfection by-products

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Abstract

Interactions of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) with polymeric nanofiltration (NF) membrane can affect their rejection. It is desirable to investigate whether solubility which depends on the free energy of interaction between these solutes and water correlates with rejection/adsorption and the potential to be incorporated in the partitioning terms of current NF model. A total of ten neutral disinfection by-products (DBPs) were selected as the model compounds for TOrCs to comprehensively investigate the role of solubility on rejection and adsorption. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the correlation between MW and rejection ratio was highly significant (r = 0.778, p = 0.008) and that between solubility and rejection ratio was moderately significant (r = −0.636, p = 0.48) in a cross-flow system. By fitting Freundlich equation from adsorption isotherm experiment, the adsorption affinity (K f) of DBPs was roughly correlated with their solubility with regard to the comparison of n value with 1. α was then introduced as a parameter of solute-membrane interaction from the perspective of partitioning term in the hydrodynamic model. Exponential relationship can be observed between the solubility and α, demonstrating the possibility of incorporating solubility into the partitioning terms in NF model to accurately predict the rejection of DBPs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the Science Foundation of China University of Petroleum, Beijing (No. 2462015YJRC030).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China

    Fan-xin Kong, Jin-fu Chen, Chun-mei Guo & Tong Zhang

  2. State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Xiao-mao Wang, Hong-wei Yang & Yuefeng F. Xie

  3. Environmental Engineering Programs, The Pennsylvania State University, Middletown, PA, 17057, USA

    Yuefeng F. Xie

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  1. Fan-xin Kong
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  2. Xiao-mao Wang
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  3. Hong-wei Yang
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  4. Jin-fu Chen
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  5. Chun-mei Guo
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  6. Tong Zhang
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  7. Yuefeng F. Xie
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Correspondence to Fan-xin Kong.

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Responsible editor: Angeles Blanco

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Kong, Fx., Wang, Xm., Yang, Hw. et al. The role of solubility on the rejection of trace organics by nanofiltration membrane: exemplified with disinfection by-products. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 18400–18409 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9282-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9282-0

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