Coupling membrane catalysis and biodegradation for nitric oxide removal in a novel hybird catalytic membrane biofilm reactor

Intimate coupling of membrane catalysis and nitrification/denitrification offers potential for degrading nitric oxide compounds. This study reports on a novel FeTiO2/polysulfone (PSF) hybrid catalytic membrane biofilm reactor (HCMBfR) for flue gas denitrification under nature light. In 270 days of operation, NO removal efficiency was up to 85.7%, and the maximum elimination capacity was 159.8 g-NO m−3 h−1, respectively. Membrane catalysis helps to promote biodegradation and enhance the elimination capacity up from 6.9 to 24.1 g-NO m−3 h−1. NO removal efficiency in the HCMBfR was higher up from 51.7% to 54.9% than that in the wet membrane catalytic reactor. The presence of photocatalysis can avoid the formation of soluble extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and help stable long-term operation. Membrane photocatalysis, and nitrification/denitrification could contribute to the removal of NO in the FeTiO2/PSF HCMBfR process. The mechanism for coupling membrane catalysis and nitrification/denitrification in the HCMBfR was proposed.