Recyclability Definition of Recycled Nanofiltration Membranes through a Life Cycle Perspective and Carbon Footprint Indicator

The direct end-of-life recycling of reverse osmosis membranes (RO) into recycled nanofiltration (r-NF) membranes has been pointed out as a circular technology. For the first time, an environmental analysis of the whole life cycle of r-NF membranes was performed, focused on their usage. The carbon fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Membranes (Basel) 2022-08, Vol.12 (9), p.854
Main Authors: Senán-Salinas, Jorge, Landaburu-Aguirre, Junkal, García-Pacheco, Raquel, García-Calvo, Eloy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Carbon
Carbon cycle
Carbon footprint
circular economy
Desalination
Ecological footprint
Energy
Energy consumption
Energy sources
Environmental impact
Environmental indicators
Footprint analysis
Inlet pressure
Life cycle analysis
life cycle assessment
Life cycles
Mathematical models
Membrane permeability
Membranes
Nanofiltration
Nanotechnology
Numerical methods
Permeability
Pressure vessel design
Pressure vessels
Recyclability
Recycling
Reverse osmosis
reverse osmosis membranes
Service life
specific energy consumption
Systems design
Treated water
Water consumption
Water treatment
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Summary:The direct end-of-life recycling of reverse osmosis membranes (RO) into recycled nanofiltration (r-NF) membranes has been pointed out as a circular technology. For the first time, an environmental analysis of the whole life cycle of r-NF membranes was performed, focused on their usage. The carbon footprint (CF) of NF water treatment processes (Functional Unit: 1 m3 of treated water) with different pressure vessel (PV) designs and energy sources using r-NF and commercial NF-270-400 was quantified. Moreover, to compensate for the lower permeability of the r-NF, two design strategies were assessed: A) an increment in inlet pressure, and B) an increase in the number of modules. The inventory included energy modelling for each design and membrane. The interaction of both strategies with the permeability and service life of r-NF, together with different energy sources, was assessed using a novel hybrid analytical–numerical method. The relevance of energy use at the usage stage was highlighted. Therefore, r-NF permeability is the foremost relevant parameter for the definition of CF. The low impact of the r-NF replacement favoured strategy B. The use of an environmental indicator (CF) made it possible to identify the frontiers of the recyclability and applicability of r-NF membranes.
ISSN:2077-0375
2077-0375
DOI:10.3390/membranes12090854