Performance Evaluation of Polymeric Membrane Permeability Characteristics Using Different Aqueous Solutions

In the last decade the application of membrane separation technology is more increasing. The membrane in water purification and wastewater treatment is essential separation process used for water reclamation. The production of new membrane types with different permeable characteristics and performances allows them to be fitted in different membrane modules that can be used in the membrane filtration. The water characteristics are important for the membrane performance. It can seriously affect the permeability characteristics and increase the fouling on the membrane surface. In wastewater treatment, the characteristics of the aqueous influent can reduce the permeability of the membrane and the process efficiency of the membrane bioreactor (MBR). The aim of this paper is to explore the effect of different aqueous solutions on membrane permeability using dead end filtration process. For this purpose, NaCl solution with different concentration were prepared and the effect of the concentration polarization on the membrane was observed. The constructed membrane module was also tested with real water sample and the membrane permeability was analyzed. In this experiment a polymeric membrane produced from polyether sulphonate (PES), with diameter of 5.0 cm and pore size of 0.04 µm was assembled in a constructed module for dead-end filtration. The module was constructed in a way that would allow turbulence of the solution on the membrane surface. The following working parameters were examined: transmembrane pressure (TMP), the types of solutions, the working temperature, and the influence of agitation on the feeding to the specific membrane flux and permeability. The results showed that the membrane permeability is affected by the water organic and inorganic constituents and in the process of design of membrane reactor for wastewater treatment, the water composition should be taken in consideration.