Comprehensive review on advanced ceramic membranes for oily water treatment

Abstract

Ceramic membranes have emerged as a game-changing solution for oil–water separation, addressing important environmental and industrial concerns related to oily wastewater treatment. Ceramic membranes work by mechanisms such as straining, adsorption, and coalescence, with porosity, pore size distribution, and surface hydrophobicity all having a significant impact on their performance. Materials such as alumina (Al₂O₃), silicon carbide (SiC), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) have exceptional chemical stability, heat resistance, and fouling resistance, making them suitable for demanding industrial conditions. Applications include industrial wastewater discharge, water recycling, and pre-treatment processes for desalination, demonstrating their versatility. The review assesses membrane performance parameters including flux, rejection rates, and long-term durability, while also evaluating issues such as fouling and high operational expenses. Surface engineering innovations, dynamic filtering modes, and self-cleaning technologies are being investigated as potential techniques to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Ceramic membranes have the potential to transform sustainable water treatment systems by combining advances in material science and engineering, providing long-term, efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions to global water concerns.