Modeling of flux decline for oily wastewater treatment using Hermia’s models

One of the treatment techniques used for oil separation from oily wastewaters is membrane filtration. The typical variation of the flux with time is that of initial rapid decrease followed by a long and gradual decline. The results of an experimental study regarding fouling mechanisms of membrane in separation of oil from Seraje oily wastewaters are presented. Mullite and Mullite-alumina Microfiltration membranes were synthesized from kaolin clay as MF ceramic membranes. Hermia’s models were used to investigate the fouling mechanisms of membranes. The effect of adding alumina to mullite membrane on flux decline has been investigated. The results show that cake filtration model can well predict the flux decline of mullite ceramic membranes. After cake filtration model, the best flux predicted to the experimental data was intermediate pore blocking model and worst predicted flux was for complete pore blocking model.

Keywords:

Membrane fouling , Microfiltration , Ceramic membranes , Hermia’s models