Novel Technology for

Industrial wastewater

Xiang-fei Lyu
Chapter 2. Membrane technologies for
Industrial Wastewaters Treatment
Contents
 Introduction.
 Classification of the Membrane for Separation

Electrodialysis

Reverse Osmosis

Nanofiltration

Microfiltration

 Ultrafiltration
2.1 Introduction
In water and wastewater treatment, membrane technology, a
term that refers to a number of different processes using
synthetic membranes to separate chemical substances, has been
recognized as the key technology for the separation of
contaminants from polluted sources thus purifying original waters.
Membranes are selective barriers that separate two different
phases, allowing the passage of certain components and the
retention of others. The driving force for transport in membrane
processes can be a gradient of pressure, chemical potential,
electrical potential or temperature across the membrane.
Membrane processes rely on a physical separation, usually with no
addition of chemicals in the feed stream and no phase change,
thus stand out as alternatives to conventional processes (i.e.
distillation, precipitation, coagulation/flocculation, adsorption by
active carbon, ion exchange, biological treatment…) for the
chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and food industries.
2.1 Introduction
Industrial wastewater has many types in large quantity
and it is very harmful. If the wastewater can be treated
, it would not only preserve the resource ,but also
protect the environment because the wastewater
contains some deleterious substances such as
oil ,metallic ions , phenol and etc. The membrane
technology bears splendid significance in the industrial
wastewater treatment . In early 1970s, RO membrane
began to make the electric plating wastewater recycled;
Charged UF membrane turned the electro coating
system in automatic company into clean producing line.
The wastewater treatment with membrane recycled the
wastewater in dyeing process; UF membrane is a key
technology for the reuse of oil wastewater.
Advantage ：
 High performance
 Compact units: less space needed than conventional
treatment schemes
 Simple operation
 Membranes available can be used to separate many
kinds of contaminants
 Disinfection can be performed without chemicals
Disadvantage ：
 Membrane fouling
 Production of polluted water (from backwashing)
 Membranes have to be replaced on a regular basis
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 What Are Membranes?
Membranes are thin films of synthetic organic or
inorganic (ceramic) materials, which can bring about
a very selective separation between a fluid and its
components. The fluid may be a gas or a liquid but in
Environmental Engineering we are more concerned
with water and wastewater.
 2.1 Introduction
What’s a membrane
Semi-permeable barrier
Good selectivity
High Flux
Anti Fouling properties

Membrane operations depend on

• membrane  material science
• driving force  chemical
engineering
2.1 Introduction
2.1.2 Membrane technology
Engineering approaches for the separation of substances
with the help of semi-permeable membranes

Electrical
Driving Pressure Concentration Temperature
potential d
Force Difference Difference Difference
ifference

Microfiltration
Dialysis Pervap
Ultrafiltration Electro-dialysis Membrane Dis
Membrane oration Osmosi
Nanofiltration Electro-osmosi tillation
Operations s-FO Gas sepa
Reverse osmosis s
ration
Gas separation

Exclusion Heat of evapo

Size exclusion Solubility Charge
mechanism ration
2.1 Introduction
2.1.3 Membrane structure

Dense Structu
Porous Structure
re

Solution-Diffusion m Darcy’s Law Filt

echanism ration
No pores

Solubility Gas Separation

difference Osmosis – FO - RO
s
2.1 Introduction
Membrane morphologie
Thin layer
selectivity
Membrane for UltraFiltration
: asymetric structure

Macrovoids
Highly interconnec
ted
pores
Flux
Mecanical proper
ty

1
0
2.1 Introduction
2.1.4 Membrane modules
Thin sheet Hollow fibers
Tubular membrane

Spiral wound module

2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.1 Electrodialysis membrane

Electrodialysis: the phenomenon

that the charged solute particles
transport through the membrane
under the electric field.

Electrodialysis membrane: the

membrane used during the
electrodialysis process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNX150DtnMc
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.1 Electrodialysis membrane

Preparation of pure water

• originally used for
and waste treatment in
seawater desalination
environmental protection ,
• Now ， widely used in ch such as alkali recovery, elect
emical industry, light ind roplating wastewater treatm
ustry, metallurgy, paper ent ， and recovery of valua
making, pharmaceutical i ble substances from industria
ndustry. l wastewater
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation

The pore size of a membrane is generally indicated indirectly by

membrane manufacturers, through its molecular weight cut-off
(MWCO) which is usually expressed in Dalton (1 Da = 1g mol-1) .
MWCO is typically defined as the molecular weight of the smallest
component that will be retained with an efficiency of at least 90%.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.2 Reverse Osmosis

RO membranes are dense membranes that do not have distinct

pores. It is a pressure-driven process (between 20 and 80 MPa)
that rejects smallest contaminants and monovalent ions (<350
Da) from solutions. The mass transfer in RO is due to solution-
diffusion mechanism, size exclusion, charge exclusion and
physical-chemical interactions between solute, solvent and the
membrane.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.2 Reverse Osmosis
The RO process consists of a feed water source, a feed
pretreatment, a high pressure pump, RO membrane modules, and, in
some cases, post-treatment steps.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.2 Reverse Osmosis
The opposite process of
osmosis : a pressure greater t
han the osmotic pressure is
imposed on the concentrated
solution, causing water flowing
through the membrane from
concentrated solution to the
dilute one ,as a result , the
concentration of the
concentrated solution is
greater.
Reverse osmosis membrane:
the membrane used during
the reverse osmosis
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.2 Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis technology
• Applications include is the most advanced and
• power efficient separation
technology .
• plant cooling water
and sewage treatment Widely used to remove wate
r soluble salts 、 colloids 、
• seawater desalination organics 、 bacteria 、 micro
• brackish water organisms and other impuriti
desalination es,
• large municipal and With low energy consumptio
industrial wastewater n and pollution 、 advanced t
treatment. echnology 、 easy operation
and maintenance
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration is a pressure-driven (uses pressures between 4 and
20 MPa) membrane-based separation process in which particles and
dissolved molecules with molar masses between 350 and 1000 Da
are retained. Nanofiltration is a relatively recent membrane
filtration process developed in the mid-1980s and is used most
often in surface water and fresh groundwater treatment, with the
purpose of softening (polyvalent cation removal) and removal of
disinfection by-product precursors such as natural organic matter
and synthetic organic matter (herbicides, pharmaceuticals, etc.)
Nanofiltration is also becoming more widely used in food processing
and other applications such as fractionation of oligosaccharides,
green biorefinery, coffee extract concentration, etc.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration membrane modules:
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration membrane modules:
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration
The NF separation mechanism:
The NF separation mechanism can be identified as a sum of convection and
diffusion transport mechanisms,

** Convective transport of ions with the water flux through the

membrane is caused by the pressure difference between feed and
permeate sides.

** diffusive transport is a consequence of the concentration

gradient as achieved by the rejection of solutes Electromigration is
caused by a “streaming potential” difference across the membrane.

** streaming potential is caused by the electric current generated by the

convective flow of a fluid that is necessarily charged through the pores of
a charged membrane

** For uncharged molecules, sieving or size exclusion is primarily

responsible for separation and is controlled by molecular size in solute
form.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration
The NF separation mechanism:
** Multivalent ,viruses , bacteria , suspended solids are removed by
Nanofiltration.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration
Effectiveness of NF:
Micro-pollutants like herbicides and insecticides, as well
as low-molecular components like colorants and sugars
can be very successfully blocked using a Nano-filtration
membrane.
NF can be implemented for removing the following para
meters (removal yield indicated in brackets):

-Dissolved matter (>75%).

-Harmful micro-organisms, e.g. bacteria, protozoa, alg
ae, fungi (>90%).
-Persistent organic matter (50-75%).
-Organic compounds (50-90%).
-Nutrients (incl. phosphates).
- Metals (50-90%).
-Inorganic salts (e.g. sulphates).
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration
Applications of NF:
1 Industrial applications:
* Food and dairy sector.
* Edible oil processing sector.
* Petroleum industry.
* Drug industry.
* Paper pulp industry
2-Water treatment.
3-Desalination of water.
4-Water softening.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.3 Nanofiltration

Advantages:
Lower discharge volumes, lower retentate con
centrations than RO for low value salts.
Reduction salt content and dissolved matter
content (TDS) in brackish water.
chemical-free. e.g. needs no salt or
Chemicals during operation.
pH of water after Nano-filtration is normally
non-aggressive.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation

2.2.3 Nanofiltration

Disadvantages:

 Higher energy consumption than UF and MF (

0.3 to 1 kWh/m³).
 Limited retention for salts and univalent ions.
 Membranes are sensitive to free chlorine (lif
e-span of 1000 ppmh).
 An active carbon filter or a bi-sulphite treat
ment is recommended for high chlorine conc
entrations.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation

2.2.4 Microfiltration
Microfiltration , also called microporous filtration, which belongs
to the precision filtration, is the membrane separation
process ,widely applied in the interception of silt, clay and other
particles and algae, bacteria in solution, while most of the solvent
molecule and the small solute molecules can pass through the me
mbrane.
Porous membrane; particle diameter 0.
1 – 10 μm Microfiltration lies between
UF and conventional
filtration.
In-line or crossflow operation.
Screen filters/depth filters Challenge
tests developed for pore diameter and
pore size.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.4 Microfiltration

Membrane materials
•Cellulose acetate/cellulose nitrate
•PAN – PVC
•PVDF
•PS

Modules
•Plate and frame
•Cartridge filters
2.2 Classification of the
2.2.4 Microfiltration
Application of Microfiltration
• Applied in the
removal of ultrafine
particles in solution
larger than 50
micrometers or so .
• The separation
membrane with the
largest scale in sale.
Membrane for Separation
Microfiltration is widely use
d in
• the ultrapure water ter
minal filter of microelect
ronics industry,
•Also used to detect tiny
impurities in Biomedical
Science and
Sophisticated
technologies,
•is an important tool in
scientific experiments.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.5 Ultrafiltration

Uses a finely porous membrane to separate

water and microsolutes from
macromolecules and colloids.
Membrane pore diameter 0.001 – 0.1 μm. Spiral wound UF
module
Nominal ‘cut off’ molecular weight rating
assigned to membrane.
Membrane performance affected by:
• Concentration polarisation
• Membrane fouling
• Membrane cleaning
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.5 Ultrafiltration
Membrane materials (Loeb- Sourirajan process)
•Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
•PVC/PAN copolymers
•Polysulphone
•PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride)
•PES (polyethersulfone)
•Cellulose acetate (CA)

Modules
•Tubular
•Plate and frame
•Spiral wound
•Capillary hollow fibre
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
2.2.5 Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration is used to retain particles of colloidal size

under pressure , while water and small molecule solutes i
s permitted to get through the membrane.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation

2.2.5 Ultrafiltration
Application of ultrafiltration
For 0.1-0.01 microns in diameter
• widely used in
• the preparation of drinking such as
water,
• food industry,
Surface Water Treatment,
• pharmaceutical industry,
• industrial wastewater
Sterile liquid food
treatment, metal
manufacturing,
processing,
• biological products, Ultrafiltration purification
• oil paint processing and
other fields.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
Future of membrane application in water treatment
The essence of membrane technology is a highly effective
material. The material should provide high flux , high selectivity
and so on. In the wastewater treatment , we often encounter
hazardous condition. Under such kind of circumstances , organic
membrane sometimes cannot meet the requirement . Consequently
, more attention is paid to the inorganic membrane now that
has fulfilled a considerable progress in these years with a rate of
30 %. Currently China can produce tube ceramic membrane on
industrial scale. With the decrease of water resource and the
increase of water pollution , it is definitely that the membrane
technology , the separation technology of the lowest energy cost ,
will realize a brilliant future. RO , NF ,UF , MF , ion - exchange ,
dialysis etc which are mainly used in water treatment will be the
center of membrane technology.
2.2 Classification of the Membrane for Separation
Future of membrane application in water treatment
The essence of membrane technology is a highly effective
material. The material should provide high flux , high selectivity
and so on. In the wastewater treatment , we often encounter
hazardous condition. Under such kind of circumstances , organic
membrane sometimes cannot meet the requirement . Consequently
, more attention is paid to the inorganic membrane now that
has fulfilled a considerable progress in these years with a rate of
30 %. Currently China can produce tube ceramic membrane on
industrial scale. With the decrease of water resource and the
increase of water pollution , it is definitely that the membrane
technology , the separation technology of the lowest energy cost ,
will realize a brilliant future. RO , NF ,UF , MF , ion - exchange ,
dialysis etc which are mainly used in water treatment will be the
center of membrane technology.
 Class Assignment

Reading the book Page 206 to 243 ：

MICROWAVE- AND ULTRASOUNDASSISTED
SURFACTANT TREATED ADSORBENT FOR THE
EFFICIENT REMOVAL OF EMULSIFIED OIL
FROM WASTEWATER

Reading some articles and Finishing a report about

membrane technologies for wastewater treatment