MEMBRANE SELECTION PROCEDURE AND PROCESS OPTIMIZATION

FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT: AN OVERVIEW

D. Bhattacharyya and G. Verghese

University of Kentucky

Department of Chemical Engineering

Lexington, KY 40506

ABSTRACT

Membrane separation is governed by both the chemical nature of the membrane polymer and the physical structure of the membrane. The desired separation attainable with a particular membrane depends on the relative permeability of the membrane for the solution components. The ability of membranes to separate simultaneously, or selectively, organic and inorganic solutes from aqueous streams offers substantial energy savings and flexibility in the design of separation processes. The use of membrane processes (such as, Reverse Osmosis, Nanofiltration, Ultrafiltration, and Pervaporation) for waste purification and volume reduction is gaining considerable attention in many industries. Some of the limiting factors in pressure-driven membrane processes are concentration polarization (click to transfer MATHCAD program) , particulate fouling, bacterial fouling, and organics adsorption/sorption. The design variables include module hydrodynamics and flow rates, wastewater characteristics, operating pressure, and fouling potential as a function of water recovery. The presentation will include: criteria for membrane process selection and polymer types, flux and separation optimization for wastes containing heavy metals and hazardous organics, and hybrid processes for material recovery or detoxification of membrane concentrates.