Design and fabrication of pilot scale system using membrane technology for yeast industry wastewater treatment

Generally, the wastewater from the yeast industry is characterized by high chemical and non-biodegradable organic pollutants. Most of the contaminants in the wastewater are due to the use of molasses as a main raw material. The treatment of the yeast industry wastewater was investigated by nanofiltration (NF) membrane process on a pilot scale. Two wastewaters were used as feed for this system: (i) dilute wastewater with COD 2000 mg/L and (ii) concentrate wastewater with COD 8000 mg/L. The permeate flux, COD retention, color and electrical conductivity (EC) removal were evaluated in relation to trans-membrane pressureand long-term filtration. A linear increase in permeate flux was found with increase in transmembrane pressure for wastewaters. In addition, the COD retention, color and EC removal increased with increase in trans-membrane pressure. The quality of permeate in term of COD is above the discharge standard in river (200 mg/L). Thus, this process is useful for treatment of wastewaters produced by yeast industry.

Keywords:

Nanofiltration , Membrane process , Pilot scale , Wastewater treatment , Yeast industry