Practical application of membrane techniques of waste oil treatment

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Lubr. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6118577

Hockenberry, H R; Lieser, J E

Pilot studies investigated treatment of oily waste water with ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. Modified acetate and similar compounds were used as ultrafiltration membranes. Reverse osmosis membranes were made of organic materials treated to become semipermeable. Both test systems had tubular membrane construction. The basic theory of both processes was presented. Test results indicated a difference in the mechanics of demulsification. Ultrafiltration removed surfactants from wastes in the water phase. This resulted in demulsification. Demulsification, in reverse osmosis, seemed to be due to high salt levels in the concentrate tank. Wastes were diluted until oil levels were 40 to 50% and volumes were 4 to 10% of initial volume. The water flux rate was too low for efficient operation at this level. Oily waste was transferred to a holding tank where it separated into three phases. Heating to 40 to 50C speeded the separation. The differences between membrane and chemically treated wastes were noted in the cuff layer between the oil and water phases. The cuff was well-defined and contained only dirt and grinding debris during membrane treatment. This debris could be filtered out for the water to be recycled for retreatment. The resultant oil from membrane treatment was very clean. Similar results were achieved with repeated chemical treatments.Reverse osmosis produced water with a significantly lower mineral content. The total extractables were higher in ultrafiltration water and were identified as surfactants. The water could be recycled on a limited basis within the plant or disposed of in sanitary sewer systems.

• Research Organization: Timken Co., Canton, Ohio
• OSTI ID: 6118577
• Journal Information: Lubr. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Lubr. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 33:5; ISSN LUENA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020800* -- Petroleum-- Waste Management
42 ENGINEERING
420900 -- Engineering-- Waste Processing Plants & Equipment-- (-1989)
ACETATES
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DEMULSIFICATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
MEMBRANES
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OSMOSIS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
RECYCLING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SURFACTANTS
ULTRAFILTRATION
WASTE OILS
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER