Waste water treatment is most often done today using harsh chemicals. It is a slow process that itself creates waste. With ultrasonic technology, however, someday soon we might have a new way to treat waste water, which would be more environmentally friendly.

Though this technology is still in its infancy, studies have been done that show the potential of using ultrasound in waste water treatment. Using ceramic membrane filters is a more efficient method of treating water. Ceramic membrane filters resemble honeycombs; they are networks of tiny channels separated by thin membranes.

Waste Water Treatment with Ultrasound

When water flows through the channels, tiny pores on the channels collect contaminants. They filter out pollutants like clay, bacteria, viruses, and iron oxide. Over time, the membranes become clogged. Though ceramic filters are hard-wearing and longer lasting than other filters, this does pose a problem.

Waste water treatment with ultrasound, however, will clean the filters. They don't have to be removed for cleaning, either--it can be done at the same time. By leaving the ultrasound running continuously, scientists say the filters might never become clogged to begin with. The pollutants would then be flushed away with a separate exhaust flow.