Properties and Filtration Performance of Porous Clay Membrane Fabricated at Various Sintering Temperatures

Abstract

A porous clay membrane is fabricated using natural ball clay and sintered at various temperatures ranging from 800 to 1100 °C. The properties of the porous clay membrane are characterized, including shrinkage, water absorption, porosity, density, compressive strength, pure water permeation, and turbidity removal from aquaculture wastewater. A clear trend is observed from the findings. As the sintering temperature increases, the water absorption, porosity, and membrane permeation decreases from 62.25% to 43.67%, 57% to 43%, and 4356 to 2235 L h⁻¹ m⁻² bar⁻¹, respectively. Conversely, shrinkage, density, compressive strength, and turbidity removal show an opposite correlation, increasing from 9.09% to 18.18%, 0.84 to 1.0 kg m⁻³, 0.95 to 4.11 MPa, and 79% to 94%, respectively. In summary, the sample sintered at 1000 °C emerges as the optimal choice for aquaculture wastewater filtration. It strikes a balance between the desired density and strength while maintaining an appropriate porosity level and exceptional turbidity removal capacity. This cost-effective ceramic filter exhibits promising properties in producing clear effluent.