A Membrane Process for Recycling Die Lube from Wastewater Solutions

Technical Report · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/911428· OSTI ID:911428

Peterson, Eric S; Trudeau, Jessica; Cleary, Bill; Hackett, Michael; Greene, William A

An active-surface membrane technology was used to separate a die lube manufacturing wastewater stream consisting of various oils, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and silicones. The ultrafiltration membranes reduced organics from initial oil and grease contents by 20–25X, carbon oxygen demand (COD) by 1.5 to 2X, and total organic carbon (TOC) by 0.6, while the biological oxygen demand (BOD) remained constant. The active-surface membranes were not fouled as badly as non-active-surface systems and the active-surface membrane flux levels were consistently higher and more stable than those of the non-active-surface membranes tested. Field testing demonstrated that the rotary microfilter can concentrate the die lube, i.e. remove the glycerin component, and produce a die lube suitable for recycling. The recycling system operated for six weeks with only seven cleaning cycles and no mechanical or electrical failures. Test data and quality records indicate that the die casting scrap was reduced from 8.4 to 7.8%. There is no doubt that this test yielded tremendous results. This separation process presents significant opportunities that can be evaluated further.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - SC
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC07-99ID-13727
• OSTI ID: 911428
• Report Number(s): INEEL/EXT-03-00307; TRN: US200724%%789
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 - INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
CARBON
CASTING
CLEANING
GLYCEROL
GREASES
HEAVY METALS
HYDROCARBONS
MANUFACTURING
MEMBRANES
OXYGEN
RECYCLING
SCRAP
SILICONES
TESTING
ULTRAFILTRATION
active-surface membrane
die lube
rotary microfilter
separation process
ultrafiltration