Characteristics of particle and membrane pore sizes in the performance of water recovery from a fine carbon loaded wastewater using a vibration membrane system

In dealing with the fine carbon loaded wastewater from a TV picture tube plant, the technique of vibration membrane was proven to be a more effective means than the conventional coagulation and settlement method. The present work is to look into the characteristics of the carbon particle sizes and the membrane pore sizes in the performance of the vibration membrane. The parameters taken into consideration in this work include membrane types, particle sizes, particles concentration, trans-membrane pressure, vibration amplitude and feed temperature. The studies showed that one could achieve a higher permeate flux and less frequent back wash through a suitable match of particle size and membrane type.

Three types of membranes and two kinds of pre-filters were used to treat fine carbon particle wastewater using a VSEP system. Characteristics of particle and membrane pore sizes on the performance of the filtration process were investigated. The increase in trans-membrane pressure, temperature and vibration amplitude are favorable to the increase in the permeate flux. There existed a certain relation between the particle sizes and the membrane pore size. It would be unfavorable if the membrane pore and the particle were compatible in size. Table 2 Comparison of the permeate flux at 120 min Pre-filter size, µm