Influence of operating conditions on the retention of severe industrial wastewater by nanofiltration

ABSTRACT

The presence of metals in industrial wastewater is a major health risk in many places in the world. On pilot, the suitability of a thin film polyamide nanofiltration composite membrane (SNTE NF270-2540) to extract heavy metal ions (Zn, Cr, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Co & Ni) from industrial wastewater was examined. The operating conditions including feed pH value, feed concentration and pressure were studied. The membrane was characterised by using the ions transport model and the consumption energy was calculated. The effect of ionic concentration and the diffusion fluxes were studied.

The retention of Iron at pH = 5.3 and Nickel at pH = 7.2 and for pressures from 6.0 to 13.5 bars was quantitative (100%). For Lead at pH = 4.4 and for pressures from 6.0 to 10 bars, the retention was quantitative (100%).

In general, the nanofiltration process is recommended to be applied in practice for the extraction of heavy metals from wastewater.

KEYWORDS:

• Heavy metals
• industrial wastewater
• nanofiltration
• membrane

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the DGRSDT and ATRST-Algeria for their financial support.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.