Membrane separation processes applied to the treatment of effluents from nanoceramic coating operations

Abstract

In this work, the use of membrane separation processes (MSP) for the treatment of a synthetic effluent from a nanoceramic coating line was evaluated. Three MSP were tested: electrodialysis, microfiltration, and nanofiltration (NF). The presence of zirconium, a chemical element able to combine with different compounds producing complexes, and pH variations in the nanoceramic effluent are responsible for the different efficiency levels of the MSP in treating this effluent. The better results were reached with NF, making this process an option for the treatment of this new effluent.

Keywords:

• Nanoceramic effluent
• Hexafluorozirconic acid
• Electrodialysis
• Microfiltration
• Nanofiltration

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Capes—Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, to CNPq—Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, and FAPERGS—Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, for their financial support.