Vanadium removal from water assisted by FeCl3 using low pressure membranes

Abstract

Abstract Vanadium (V), released from both natural and anthropogenic sources, occurs in groundwater and surface waters at 0.2–100 µg L −1 (freshwater) and 0.2–29 µg L −1 (seawater). This work evaluates V removal with low-pressure membranes (MV020 and UP150) enhanced with FeCl 3 . The effects of Fe/V molar ratio, transmembrane pressures (TMPs), and membrane type on removal efficiency and flux performance were examined. In a 60-min operational period, V rejection at Fe/V = 0 remained below 61.8% (UP150) and 24.5% (MV020). Raising the ratio at Fe/V = 1 increased removal to 73.9% (UP150) and 53.3% (MV020); at Fe/V = 3 the values rose to 88.3% and 60.2%, respectively. In 6-h operational period with UP150 at Fe/V = 3, peak removal reached 95.1%, but progressive fouling caused flux decline; after backwashing cycles the flux partially recovered while removal stabilised around 86%. SEM–EDS and FTIR analyses confirmed Fe–V interactions on membrane surfaces. Overall, FeCl 3 -assisted low-pressure UF offers high V rejection with moderate chemical demand, making it a compact and energy-efficient option for decentralised water treatment.