Removal of suspended matter and salts on ultrafiltration cellulose acetate/expanded polystyrene waste grafted PEG composite membrane

• Published in: Desalination and water treatment 2020-09, Vol.197, p.30-40
• Main Authors: Fathy, Mahmoud, Ali, Hager R., Moustafa, Yasser M., El Shahawy, Abeer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Foulants; Kaolin; Membrane; Polystyrene; Ultrafiltration
• ISSN: 1944-3986; 1944-3986
• DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2020.25960

Ultrafiltration (UF) cellulose acetate (CA)/expanded polystyrene (PS) waste grafted polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite membrane UF was prepared using CA mixed with waste PS and grafted with PEG by casting polymerization. In the present study, suspended organic matters (kaolin) were used in the sizes of micro-particles (0.2–0.4 μm) like organic foulants particulates in secondary wastewater, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, Raman, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used in this study. The scanning electron microscopy images exhibited a uniform and dense structure for the membranes. The amorphous structure membranes were detected through the XRD pattern. Solutions of (CaCl, MgCl, NaCl, KCl, Na2CO3) and kaolinite as suspension solids were used for membrane selection and permeability under the effects of pH, applied pressure, and kaolinite and ions concentration. This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the water recovery system for the CA/PSPEG to assess its self-sustainability. Consequently, the membrane (CA/PSPEG) displays excellent overall completion in separation performance compared with pure PS membranes. The modified membranes achieved a 99% rejection in comparison to 90% for the basic membrane. This membrane could be an exceptional material for water treatment purposes.