Mohammad Reza Sebzari - Research Centre for Membrane Separation processes, Faculty of Chemical Engineering,Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran
Sareh Rezaei Hosseinabadi - Research Centre for Membrane Separation processes, Faculty of Chemical Engineering,Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Abbasi - Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Mahmood Hemmati - Polymer Science and Technology Division, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI),West Blvd., Near Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, Iran

Using the Taguchi method, this study analyzes the optimum operating conditions of UF process for oily wastewater treatment. The controllable factors used in this study consisted of the following: (1) Back Wash time; (2) Transmembrane pressure (TMP); (3) Flow rate; and (4) temperature. According to the optimum operating conditions, the confirmation experiment was carried out, and permeate flux recovered was up to 89.05%. The percentage contribution of eachcontrollable factor was also determined. Most interestingly, tarnsmembrane pressure is the most influential factor for permeate flux, and its value is up to 89.80%. The optimum operating conditions of UF were found as follows. (1) Backwash time of 5 s; (2) TMP of 2 bar; (3) Flow rate of 12 Lmin-1 and (4) temperature of 30 °C.

Taguchi method, hollow fiber ultrafiltration, oily wastewater treatment