Development of porous alumina membranes for treatment of textile effluent

Abstract

A B S T R A C TCeramic porous membranes sintered at two different temperature using polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene glycol as binders, and composed of two types of α-alumina with different particle sizes were investigated for the microfiltration of a textile effluent containing indigo dye, auxiliaries, heavy metals, oils, and solids. The physicochemical properties of the membranes and effluent were evaluated. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis confirm that the thin membrane is composed of high crystalline and pure α-alumina. Scanning electron microscopy observation indicates that the membranes have smooth porous surface making it suitable for microfiltration applications. The membrane sintered at 1,450˚C exhibited higher water absorption (WA) and apparent porosity than that sintered at 1,475˚C. The apparent specific gravity and flexural strength are in inverse correlation with the WA due to the enhanced densification of the membranes. The filtered effluent was evaluated using a membrane with an average pore size of 0.4 μm and a total porosity of 29.6%. The average values of rejection were 90% for color, 93% for suspended solids, 95% for turbidity, 60% for metals, and 73% for chemical oxygen demand. These results demonstrate that low-cost ceramic alumina membranes are a very promising advanced treatment for textile industrial effluents.

Structures, Properties, and Performances—Relationships of Polymeric Membranes for Pervaporative Desalination

“…Selective desalination through the majority of porous metal oxide-based ceramic membranes is fabricated via increment in size by hydration, followed by electrostatic effects at the pores [290]. For decontamination of raw industrial wastewater bearing the mixtures of toxic metal ions, organics, and inorganic substances, the selectivity is primarily achieved via electrostatic interactions between pollutants and positively-charged metal oxide ceramic membranes [291]. Electrostatic interaction, pH of the feed solution, and modulation of the membrane surface charge influence the rejection mechanism.…”

Tinctorial behavior of curaua and banana fibers and dyeing wastewater treatment by porous alumina membranes

“…Ceramic microfiltration membranes were prepared by sintering of alumina powders mixed with binders as previously reported [19]. The alumina paste was produced in an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and ethylene glycol (EG) as binders in the proportion 70:30 (Vetec Química Fina LTDA, Brazil).…”

Deposition of Thin Alumina Films Containing 3D Ordered Network of Nanopores on Porous Substrates

“…Alumina is a very good material for porous membranes because it is chemically stable, semitransparent, insoluble, inert, and biocompatible [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. One of the very attractive applications of nanoporous alumina membranes is their incorporation into a wide variety of sensors [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], for filtration purposes [ 8 , 17 , 24 , 25 ] and water treatment [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”