• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 2010

This paper will integrate models at different levels (from filtration, backwashing to chemical cleaning and membrane lifetime) that can be used to minimize overall operating costs of a dead-end ultra filtration process that is used for the purification of surface water. Integration of the models leads to a multi-level optimization problem (at different levels different objectives should be reached). This problem is solved as a MINLP. Systematic modelling and optimization of membrane systems is not extensively discussed in the scientific literature. In this paper the first steps are taken in the formulation of proper models and the use of systems engineering tools to come to real optimal operating conditions. The optimized variables are used to calculate fouling profiles which can subsequently be used as inputs for a control system that actually enforces the profiles to a real pilot plant.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2010

Membrane distillation process was used for purification of pre-treated natural water (tap water). The rejection of inorganic and organic compounds in this process was investigated. The obtained rejection of inorganic solutes was closed to 100%, but the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) diffused through the membrane together with water vapour. The content of trihalomethanes (THMs) in the obtained distillate was two-three fold higher than that in the feed, therefore, the rejection of the total organic compounds present in the tap water was reduced to a level of 98%. The intensive membranes scaling was observed during the water separation. The morphology and composition of the fouling layer was studied using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectrometry. The influence of thermal water pre-treatment performed in a heat exchanger followed by filtration on the MD process effectiveness was evaluated. This procedure caused that significantly smaller amounts of $CaCO_3$ crystallites were deposited on the membrane surface, and a high permeate flux was maintained over a period of 160 h.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.309-315
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• 2018

The applicability of the ultrafiltration process for color removal from dye-containing water has been examined in this study. The optimization of major process variables, such as dye concentration, chitosan concentration and transmembrane pressure on permeate flux and color removal efficiency was investigated. To find the most appropriate results for the experiment, the Box-Wilson experimental design method was employed. The results were correlated by a response function and the coefficients were determined by regression analysis. Permeate flux variation and color removal efficiency determined from the response functions were in good agreement with the experimental results. The optimum conditions of chitosan concentration, dye concentration and pressure were 50 mg/l, 50 mg/l and 3 bars, respectively for the highest permeate flux. On the other hand, optimum conditions for color removal efficiency were determined as 50 mg/l of dye concentration, 50 mg/l of chitosan concentration and 1 bar of pressure.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.343-351
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• 2018

As membrane fouling is based on various factors, it is a complex phenomenon that is hard to estimate. This study investigated membrane fouling in a thermophilic jet loop membrane bioreactor (JLMBR). With this purpose, four different empirical membrane fouling models with different sludge retention times were applied on the flow data obtained in the system. As a result of the model implementation, it was found for all sludge retention times that, standard blocking is effective in the first 1.5 hours of filtration, while cake filtration was dominant in the remaining duration. Additionally, it was observed that as the sludge retention time increases, membrane fouling rate decreases.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.173-177
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• 2020

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been recognized as one of the significant greenhouse gas (GHG) generators, due to the complex biochemical reaction and huge consumption of energy and materials. Recently, WWTPs have been built underground and they will be confronted with the challenges of mitigating GHG emissions and improving the quality of treated wastewater. Here, we focus on estimating GHG emissions to set up effective management plans for a WWTP built underground. First, we apply the process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) with an inventory database of the underground WWTP for a case study. Then, we identify significant factors affecting GHG emissions during service life using sensitivity analysis and suggest the proper tactics that could properly reduce GHG emissions from the WWTP.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2015

In India, recycling of treated effluent plays a major role in the industry. Particularly in copper industry, recycling techniques for treated effluents adopt conventional technologies which are not energy efficient and recovery of high quality process water, free flowing salts and sludge's is very low. This paper presents an overview of enhanced modern technology for treated effluents in copper industry making it more efficient with high recovery of high quality process water and free flowing salts. Life cycle cost (LCC) would be 15-20% lower than the conventional technologies. The conventional technology can be replaced with this proposed technique in the existing and upcoming copper industries.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2015

The presented research is about characterization of Cellulose Triacetate (CTA) based Polymer Inclusion Membranes (PIMs) which incorporated the commercial extractant Aliquat 336, Tributylphosphate (TBP) as modifier and 2-Nitro Phenyl Pentyl Ether (NPPE) as plasticizer, for the preparation of the membranes. Chemical and physical characteristics of the synthesized membranes especially membrane thickness and side difference effects were investigated. Different surface structures and membrane thickness affect the extraction efficiency of membranes. Membrane extraction experiments were studied where the glass-facing surface of the membranes placed next to feed phase and the air-facing surface to stripping phase. The membrane was characterized by means of AFM, FT-IR and SEM.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.327-339
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• 2016

Nanofiltration is useful to concentrate propolis extract. During the selection of membrane, both compound rejection and permeate flux are important indicators of process economy. Brazilian green propolis extract was studied to evaluate the separation performance of Startmen 122 and NF270 membranes. Compared to Starmen 122, NF270 membrane showed better rejection of bioactive compounds. The flux decline patterns were further studied using Hermia's model. Cake formation is the major fouling mechanism on the hydrophobic surface of Starmen 122. While the fouling mechanism for NF270 is pore blocking. The fouled membranes were further characterized using SEM and FT-IR to confirm on the predicted fouling mechanisms.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.41-56
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• 2014

A series of microporous PVDF membranes were prepared by isothermal immersionprecipitation of PVDF/TEP casting dopes in both soft and harsh coagulation baths. Morphologies of the membranes' top surfaces were found to depend strongly on the bath strength, which could be controlled by the TEP content in the bath. By changing the bath gradually from pure water to 70% TEP, the top surface evolved from a dense skin-like (asymmetric) to a totally open porous morphology (symmetric). The latter structure could similarly be obtained by precipitation of the same dope in an alcoholic bath, e.g., 1-butanol. Membrane distillation processes to desalt sodium chloride aqueous solutions were conducted using various prepared membranes and two commercial microporous membranes, PTFE (Toyo, Japan, code: J020A330R) and PVDF (GE, USA, code: YMJWSP3001). The permeation fluxes were compared and correlated with the morphologies of the tested membranes.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2014

In this study, a theoretical model for the transport phenomena in an Air Gap Membrane Distillation used for desalination was developed. The model is based on the conservation equations for the mass, momentum, energy and species within the feed water solution as well as on the mass and energy balances on the membrane sides. The rarefaction impacts are taken into consideration showing their effects on process parameters particularly permeate flow and thermal efficiency. The theoretical model was validated with available data and was found in good agreement especially when the slip condition is introduced. The rarefaction impact was found considerable inducing an increase in the permeate flux and the thermal efficiency.