Fundamentals on Adsorption, Membrane Filtration, and Advanced Oxidation Processes for Water Treatment

Water treatment is the processing of water to meet or achieve specified goals or standards set by regulatory agencies and end users. New water treatment technologies are being developed that need to be evaluated on a fundamental scientific and practical basis compared to traditional remediation processes. Recent advances in nanomaterial development for water treatment in the areas of filtration membranes, high surface area adsorbents, and efficient photocatalysts require approval for their effectiveness and safeness. Fundamental theories and concepts discussed in this chapter pertain to the areas of (i) adsorption and equilibrium isotherms (ii) pressure-driven membrane filtration and its rejection mechanisms for filtration and reverse osmosis processes; and (iii) advanced oxidation processes with a focus on semiconductor photocatalytic concepts.