Water scarcity resulting from industrialization and population growth has increased the demand for advanced wastewater reuse technologies. Microfiltration (MF) systems are widely used due to their ability to effectively remove suspended solids and microorganisms, making them suitable for water reclamation processes. This study aimed to optimize the operational parameters of an MF system and evaluate the effectiveness of various chemical cleaning strategies to maintain long-term performance and membrane integrity. Pilot-scale experiments were conducted to examine the effects of different backwash flow rates and filtration times on membrane fouling and recovery rates. The system's performance was monitored using total membrane pressure (TMP) as a key indicator. When the backwash flow rate was reduced from 6.8 m³/h to 6.2 m³/h, the recovery rate increased from 91.1% to 91.8%, with a minimal TMP rise from 0.246 to 0.255 kg/cm². Extending the filtration time from 1,200 to 1,800 s resulted in a recovery rate of 93.9%, although the TMP significantly increased to 0.400 kg/cm², indicating a greater fouling risk. Chemical cleaning tests comparing maintenance cleaning and short-term cleaning revealed that periodic maintenance using a combination of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and oxalic acid was the most effective method, achieving a TMP recovery rate of 90%. These results emphasize the importance of striking a balance between operational settings and chemical treatment to minimize membrane fouling while maintaining recovery efficiency. This study offers essential data to support the design and operation of MF systems in wastewater reuse applications, contributing to more sustainable and cost-effective membrane treatment processes.

This study evaluates a hybrid electro-oxidation-adsorption process for chlorate removal in wastewater treatment. Using a specialized reactor, we investigated the influence of operational parameters including current density, reaction time, granular activated carbon (GAC) dosage, electrode spacing, and pH. Optimal removal efficiency of 82.40 % was achieved under the following conditions: 75 A/m² current density, 5 min reaction time, 20 g/L GAC dosage, 2 cm electrode spacing, and a pH of 2. This method outperforms traditional adsorption and electrochemical oxidation, offering a promising solution for reducing chlorate-related environmental impacts.