Membrane technology for the future treatment of paper mill effluents: chances and challenges of further system closure

摘要

The pressure on the European paper industry to further close its water circuits has increasednsignificantly during the past decade. Since the technologies of the past can no longer meetnthe requirements of the future, new water treatment methods have become necessary.nA constant rise in the interest in membrane technology expressed by the European papernindustry confirms that in the future this method will evolve into a key technology for continuednwater savings. The publication provides an overview of current and future applications ofnmembrane plants in the European paper industry. A range of technologies is briefly presentedntogether with their advantages and drawbacks, and the economic potential of membrane usenis discussed. Among other topics, the authors take a look at the utilization of membranenfiltration for treating internal circulation water, partial flows containing coating colours,nand biologically treated effluents. The technologies addressed include ultrafiltration,nnanofiltration and membrane bioreactor technology. Possible recovery and treatmentnroutes for the concentrates produced by the nanofiltration of biologically treated effluentsnare examined and evaluated.