Performance study of ceramic microfiltration membrane for oily wastewater treatment

Cross-flow microfiltration (MF) processes were studied with oily wastewater using a ceramic ( -Al2O3) membrane with 50 nm pore size. The nfluence of parameters such as transmembrane pressure (TMP), cross-flow velocity (CFV), oil concentration in feed, pH and salt concentration n the separation behaviors were investigated by the measurements of permeate flux, total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency, and size and eta potential of the emulsion droplets. The results showed that there were different degrees of effect on the permeate flux by these parameters. The OC removal efficiencies higher than 92.4% were achieved under all experimental conditions. A non-steady model of the accumulation volume f permeation was developed. It was found that the predicted values from the model were in good agreement with the experimental results. A ensitivity analysis (SA) of the model was also conducted to identify the degree of influence of the parameters on the accumulation volume of ermeation. The results showed that the accumulation volume of permeation was significantly affected by the transmembrane pressure, indicating he model was reliable. 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.