Microfiltration of Oil-in-water Emulsion Using Modified Ceramic Membrane: Surface Properties, Membrane Resistance, Critical Flux, and Cake Behavior

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated the improved membrane properties of ceramic membranes made from thermally modified clays with cationic manioc starch and eggshell residue as additives. Based on the employment of these membranes, the relationship between thermally modified clays' structure and cross-flow microfiltration using oil-in-water emulsion was studied (North Sea heavy crude oil). Using raw clay (M1) and thermally pretreated clay (M2), tubular ceramic membranes were prepared by the extrusion method. Critical Flux in different concentrations (250, 500, and 1000 mgL −1 ), fouling mechanisms, and membrane resistance were analyzed. The initial membrane resistance values for M1 and M2 membranes were 2.23 ± 0.32 × 10 12 m −1 and 1.72 ± 0.293 × 10 12 m −1 , respectively. The membrane resistance was reduced by 22% due to the clay modification, which also decreased the contact angle, increased the pore size, and decreased the membrane roughness. Regarding the total organic carbon removal, the M2 membrane had no loss in separation efficiency despite having a slightly larger pore size. These results indicate that the clay-induced structural changes decreased the membrane resistance and improved the permeate flux but did not decrease the oil-in-water emulsion's separation efficiency.

Application of coal fly ash based ceramic membranes in wastewater treatment: A sustainable alternative to commercial materials

“…Hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of coal fly ash based ceramic membrane surfaces affect separation effectiveness of the membrane [ 131 ]. This is due to the correlation between contact angle values and ceramic membrane morphology and pore size [ 152 ]. Surface wettability has an impact on how membranes are utilized, with hydrophilic membranes frequently employed in water filtration and hydrophobic membranes excellent for membrane distillation [ 153 ].…”

Effects of microalgal concentration and pH with flocculant on microfiltration

“…Low cost membrane prepared with cationic starch (2.5% w/w) and egg shell (2.5% w/w) was used [20,26]. The dimensions of the membrane are 0.20 m (length), 1.07×10 −2 m (internal diameter), 1.88×10 −2 m (external diameter) [26].…”

“…[31]. The blocking index and its expanded uncertainty (at 95%) were used to identify the most probable fouling mechanism of each membrane [20].…”

“…These technologies mainly work using the size exclusion principle; therefore, the mechanisms of particle deposition on the surface (external fouling) or in the membrane pores (internal fouling) decrease permeate flux. Fouling can cause an irreversible loss of membrane permeability, causing operational system failure [20].…”