Journal of Membrane Science & Technology

Abstract

Integrated Ultrafiltration Membranes and Chemical Coagulation for Treatment of Baker’s Yeast Wastewater

Nouri Alavijeh H, Sadeghi M, Rajaeieh M, Moheb A, Sadani M and Ismail AF

An integrated system ultrafiltration membrane-coagulation has been employed for removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity from baker's yeast effluents. Fouling in the membrane is a common problem; chemical coagulation has been used as a pre-treatment method to mitigate fouling. Poly aluminum chloride (PACl), aluminum sulfate and lime had been used as coagulants. The results indicated that PACl exhibited higher removal efficiency than other coagulants. Two-stage coagulation and combination of coagulants were also investigated. The removal efficiency of COD and turbidity were achieved 68% and 81% by two-stage coagulation by PACl-lime, respectively. The effects of operating conditions on the ultrafiltration process for two types of hollow fiber membranes polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polypropylene (PP) on permeate flow rate, turbidity and COD removal of wastewater were further investigated. The results showed that by increasing the feed pressure, flow rate and feed temperature the permeate flow rate increased and the removal efficiency decreased. Under optimum conditions, PVDF membrane showed higher performance but compromised the flux compared to PP membrane.