Comparison of different ultrafiltration membranes as first step for the recovery of phenolic compounds from olive-oil washing wastewater

The production of olive oil generates wastewater with a high organic load and toxicity due to the concentration phenolic compounds. In recent years, study on treatments these waters has been intensified together search for process recover compounds their great antioxidant potential. All this aim implementing concept circular economy. study, four different ultrafiltration membranes were evaluated in order present washing (OOWW) from an mill Valencian Community (Spain). tested differ materials molecular weight cut-off (MWCO): two permanently hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PESH) MWCO 4 50 kDa, respectively, one (PES) membrane 5 kDa regenerated cellulose acetate (RCA) 10 kDa. Transmembrane pressure (TMP) crossflow velocity (CFV) varied 1 3 bar 1.5 3.4 m·s?1, respectively. effectiveness operating conditions comparing permeate flux rejection chemical oxygen demand (COD) total (TPhs). lower showed stable fluxes without significant changes over time, while gradual decrease, achieving flux. Low was observed all cases, COD between 19.5 % 62.9 depending tested. Except PESH membrane, initial permeability recovery greater than 95 achieved 35 °C water rinse, indicating that fouling not severe. Since TPhs stream separate them matter, PES at 2 2.5 m·s?1 considered be best option. At those 40 L·h?1·m?2 obtained, lowest (8.01 %) (61.18 %).