Applications of Polymeric Membranes Ultrafiltration Process on the Retention of Bentonite Suspension

Abstract

In the field of purification and treatment of waste water resulting from various domestic and industrial activities, classical methods of retention of pollutants almost can no longer eliminate their large quantities, and this signifies a problem related to the environment. Filtration membrane technology has a larger footprint in the removal of these pollutants, and their success is due to virtually the quality of the resulting water. This paper highlights the development of a wastewater ultrafiltration process, containing bentonite, an inorganic compound found in wastewater from industries such as the steel industry, food industry, and so on. This study aims to find the relation between all parameters present in the ultrafiltration process, respectively how these parameters can influence each other. The study is necessary because bentonite, from a common substance, can be a dangerous pollutant, especially if it comes into contact with other compounds that in chemical reactions can harm the environment, and this raises questions to researchers who are experimenting with water purification technologies at a state-of-the-art level. At the same time, the study aims at determining the percentage of bentonite retaining on the membrane filtration surface, and in the final analysis of how bentonite can block the pores of the membrane or deposit on its surface. Throughout the entire ultrafiltration experiment it will be monitorized parameters related to organic membrane with hollow fibers and the results of physico-chemical indicators obtained at the final of the process. The results of the study showed that bentonite can be retained more than 20%. Accumulation of bentonite on the surface of the membrane decreased slightly the volume of permeate at the end of the experiment, resulting in an insignificant decrease in the volume of the liquid in the membrane. The results on bentonite retention efficiency and dependence parameters in the ultrafiltration process will be detailed in the present paper.

Surface Water Quality Assessment from a Mining Area. Case study, Groapa Burlacu lake, Targu Ocna, Romania

“…What leads to the decrease of the quality of the water both the surface and the underground are the different mining activities, industrial and municipal, the wastewater discharge, the improper storage of the different categories of waste. For a more efficient management of water quality it is necessary to monitor it regularly [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Treatment Study of Brook Water by Using the Ultrafiltration Pilot with Polymeric Membrane

“…At the same time, 14 chemical elements present in the waste water were analyzed and after determining the concentration of the heavy metals after the completion of the experiment it can be confirmed that the use of polymeric membranes is and will be a viable solution for the purpose of protecting the environment and health.Industrial areas, regardless of the intensity of their activities, generate huge quantities of wastewater that contain pollutants from the most "friendly" with the environment to the most dangerous [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. A quite important part of the industries generates waters that have in their composition high concentrations of heavy metals, such as: chromium, nickel, cadmium, manganese, iron, lead, etc., some being retained through the purification processes of the stations thus designed, others bypassing them, being a threat to aquatic life as well as to human health [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].In addition to the conventional methods of purification, the membrane technology has several advantages because the membranes, regardless of their type, have lower costs, are easier to exploit, in addition, they offer the possibility to separate the compounds for future use [29][30][31].The application of membranes in the processes of separation of heavy metals can have a rather high efficiency, but this efficiency depends very much on the working parameters of the experiment, such as the pH of the solution, the concentration of metals in the solution, the pressures that are created over time, other added solutions, operating time, etc. [32-34].Some studies have shown a decrease in the rejection of heavy metals as the pH value decreases, which meant a decrease in the absorption of metal ions [35]…”

“…Industrial areas, regardless of the intensity of their activities, generate huge quantities of wastewater that contain pollutants from the most "friendly" with the environment to the most dangerous [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. A quite important part of the industries generates waters that have in their composition high concentrations of heavy metals, such as: chromium, nickel, cadmium, manganese, iron, lead, etc., some being retained through the purification processes of the stations thus designed, others bypassing them, being a threat to aquatic life as well as to human health [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

Evaluation of Heavy Metals and Organic Compounds in Water Samples Collected from Various Sources from Republic of Moldova and Romania

“…Due to the fact that water is the root of the life and the best universal solvent, it is probably the only one substance in the world that might contain the "entire periodic system" in its composition. Water quality and treatment of wastewater represent a high interest among many researches within our Region [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. At the same time, the determination of the presences of the microelements contained in the water samples have always represented a matter of interest and subject of study [10].…”