In Situ Electrolytic System for Ultrafiltration Membrane Cleaning

This proposed program focuses on developing a relatively environmentally benign technology for cleaning ultrafiltration membranes in naval surface vessels through the on-site electrolytic generation of hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen-peroxide-derived hydroxyl radicals. The approach will utilize novel bifunctional cathode electrocatalysts in a polymer electrolyte electrolytic cell for the efficient on-site electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals within the wastewater stream. The radicals so produced will sterilize and digest organic residues to abate membrane fouling. The proposed technology will provide a compact on-site, environmentally friendly means of nondestructively removing organic and biological fouling from membranes utilized to treat non-oily graywater/blackwater on surface naval vessels.