Low-cost tubular ceramic microfiltration membranes from fly ash: an economical and green approach for livestock wastewater treatment

In this study, an extrusion technique was successfully employed to produce a cost-effective tubular membrane using a composition of fly ash (80%), calcium carbonate (5%), titanium dioxide (5%), and quartz (10%). The resulting membrane exhibited a mechanical strength of 12 MPa, a porosity of 41%, and a micron-sized pore diameter of 0.12 µm. This fabricated membrane demonstrated excellent performance in the microfiltration of total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) present in wastewater from livestock farms. Additionally, it provided a viable solution for the disposal of fly ash generated by power plants. The membrane's permeate stream, obtained through microfiltration, successfully met environmental discharge standards and complied with water quality safety regulations for reuse. The developed membrane effectively eliminated organic pollutants from livestock farm effluents. Consequently, this membrane holds promise in mitigating water pollution and addressing water scarcity issues.