Removal of micropollutants in aqueous streams by organophilic pervaporation

In this work a laboratory pervaporation equipment using three different flat organophilic membranes: PERVAP1060 (Sulzer), POMS and PEBA (GKSS), for pure compounds (TCE, Ethylbenzene and MTBE) has been assembled to prove micropollutant separation. Previous membrane adsorption tests have been performed to pre-screen the most suitable membranes for each compound. The different parameters of the process, that is, membrane material, membrane thickness, water flowrate, solution temperature, initial feed concentration, operation time and vacuum pressure have been evaluated for the MTBE.

As general conclusion in this work a pervaporation system has been started up and its performance probed for water micropollutants (TCE, EB and MTBE) removal. For MTBE the vacuum pressure was not a very influence parameter. A 0.41 L/min feed flowrate was enough to guarantee a good removal. Moreover the highest tested temperature (40ºC) and also the biggest concentration (500 mg/l) are preferred. Finally, the Pervap 1060 membrane has given a higher MTBE removal than the PEBA one.