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Abstract
Abstract. Introduction. In industrial and municipal wastewater treatment, conventional membrane bioreactors (MBRs) face technical limitations such as high energy consumption and membrane pore clogging caused by biofilm formation (biofouling). To address this issue, the application of a hybrid solar electro-biomembrane technology-which synergistically integrates photovoltaic solar panels, low-voltage electrochemical stimulation, and biomembrane separation processes—is highly relevant in terms of resource efficiency and treatment performance. However, establishing the scientific and theoretical foundations of the interaction mechanisms between electrodynamic and microbial-membrane processes within this hybrid reactor remains essential.
Materials and Methods. Computational-analytical and modeling approaches based on equations of hydrodynamics, mass transfer, and electrophysical interactions were employed to evaluate the kinetics of wastewater treatment in the solar electro-biomembrane system. Under the influence of low-voltage direct current (DC), electrostatic repulsive forces on the membrane surface, electrocoagulation efficiency, and the metabolic activation of microbial consortia were analyzed using mathematical models.
Results. Computational and analytical results demonstrated that the low-voltage electric field powered by solar panels significantly reduces the accumulation of negatively charged biopositive and organic compounds on the membrane surface, decreasing the degree of membrane fouling by 2.5–3.0 times. Furthermore, due to electrocatalytic processes, the efficiency of biological degradation of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, as well as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction, stabilized above 95%.
Conclusion. The conducted scientific and theoretical assessment confirms the scientific validity of utilizing the solar electro-biomembrane system as an autonomous, highly efficient, and energy-saving wastewater treatment technology.
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