Removal of substituted phenyl urea pesticides by reverse osmosis membranes: Laboratory scale study for field water application

摘要

Thin film composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane prepared in laboratory was used for filtration of two phenyl urea pesticides (diuron and isoproturon) dissolved in deionized water, tap water and agriculture field water. Membrane performance in removing pesticides from water was evaluated and compared with commercial membrane data. Membrane fouling was less for diuron and the value was restricted within 11%. Membrane fouling and permeate flux decline depends on water type. For field water flux decline was maximum. The presence of mono- (Na+) and bi-valent (Ca2+) ions in feed water influences membrane performance. Isoproturon rejection for the membranes was always higher than diuron. Pesticide rejection from field water was more than 95%. The presence of humic acid in water has no significant effect on diuron and isoproturon rejection. Post filtration behavior of membranes reflects hydrophilicity change irrespective of water type. Depending upon the pesticide, membrane property influences permeate flux and water permeability. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.