Supported polymeric liquid membranes for wastewater treatment
- Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO (United States)
The removal or elimination of organic residues from aqueous waste streams represents a major need in the chemical industry. A class of membrane has been developed called supported polymeric liquid membranes capable of removing and concentrating low molecular weight organic compounds from dilute aqueous solutions, especially those that also contain high concentrations of inorganic salts. These membranes are prepared by filling the pores of microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes with polymeric (oligomeric) liquids having affinity for the organic compounds of interest. With this approach, membrane`s separation characteristics are decoupled from its mechanical stability and depend primarily on the chemical properties of the liquid polymer used. As a result, membranes of diverse separation capabilities can be conveniently prepared using liquid polymers possessing the appropriate functional groups. Physical properties typical of polymeric liquids such as high viscosity, extremely low volatility and insolubility in water contribute to the observed stability of the membranes under broad operating conditions. This membrane process has been successfully applied to several aqueous waste streams. This paper describes the early development activities for treating a waste stream containing a dilute mixture of C2-C6 carboxylic acids. Feasibility testings were initially carried out with flat sheet membranes in a small stirred cell. Scaleup was then conducted using hollow fiber membranes, first with small modules prepared in the laboratory, then with a much larger commercial module. Attractive features of this membrane process include the ability to recover the contaminants in concentrated form for either recycle or more economical disposal, low pressure (ambient) operation, simple scale-up using commercial hollow fiber modules, and ease of in-situ regeneration of the polymeric liquid.
- OSTI ID:
- 353607
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970677-; TRN: IM9929%%153
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 90. annual meeting and exhibition of the Air and Waste Management Association, Toronto (Canada), 8-13 Jun 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of 1997 proceedings of the Air and Waste Management Association`s 90. annual meeting and exhibition; PB: [7000] p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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