Factors influencing nanofiltration of acid mine drainage

摘要

Membrane technology is an established strategy to treat acid mine drainage (AMD). Nanofiltration offers economical advantages over reverse osmosis, and allows for concentrating and recovering valuable metals from AMD waters. Understanding the relationship between AMD pH and membrane charge is required to ensure compliance with stringent discharge criteria, and to maximize metal recovery for profit. The membrane iso-electric point (IEP) is a significant parameter in the rejection of ions. Maximum metal recovery was observed when the pH was lower than IEP. Ongoing research is exploring the opportunity to customize the position of the IEP by membrane surface modification.