ABSTRACT: In the last decade the application of membrane separation technology is more increasing. The membrane

in water purifi cation and wastewater treatment is essential separation process used for water reclamation. The production of new membrane types with diff erent permeable characteristics and performances allows them to be fi tted

in diff erent membrane modules that can be used in the membrane fi ltration.

The water characteristics are important for the membrane performance. It can seriously aff ect the permeability characteristics and increase the fouling on the membrane surface. In wastewater treatment, the characteristics of the aqueous infl uent can reduce the permeability of the membrane and the process effi ciency of the membrane bioreactor (MBR). The aim of this paper is to explore the eff ect of diff erent aqueous solutions on membrane permeability using dead end fi ltration process. For this purpose, NaCl solution with diff erent concentration were prepared and the eff ect of the concentration polarization on the membrane was observed. The constructed membrane module was also tested with real water sample and the membrane permeability was analyzed.

In this experiment a polymeric membrane produced from polyether sulphonate (PES), with diameter of 5.0 cm and pore size of 0.04 μm was assembled in a constructed module for dead-end fi ltration. The module was constructed in a way that would allow turbulence of the solution on the membrane surface. The following working parameters were examined: transmembrane pressure (TMP), the types of solutions, the working temperature, and the infl uence of  agitation on the feeding to the specifi c membrane fl ux and permeability. The results showed that the membrane permeability is aff ected by the water organic and inorganic constituents and in the process of design of membrane reactor for wastewater treatment, the water composition should be taken in consideration.

 

Keywords: membrane permeability, PES, dead-end fi ltration module, TMP