Use of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration processes for the elimination of three selected emerging contaminants: amitriptyline hydrochloride, methyl salicylate and 2-phenoxyethanol

Three emerging contaminants: amitriptyline hydrochloride (AH), methyl salicylate (MS) and 2-phenoxyethanol (PE) were treated by means of filtration processes for their elimination from ultrapure (UP) water in a first stage, and from three water matrices (surface water from a reservoir, and two effluents from two municipal wastewater treatment plants) in a second stage. For this purpose, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes were used in a cross-flow laboratory equipment. The permeate fluxes at the steady state were determined, and the resistances to the permeate flux were established. It was found that the inherent resistance of the clean membranes provided a much larger resistance than the fouling resistance. The retention coefficients for each individual contaminant were evaluated, as well as the retention coefficients referred to three water quality parameters: absorbance at 254 nm, COD and TOC. These parameters provide the effectiveness of the filtration processes for the elimination of the organic matter present in the selected water matrices.