Refuse of Industrial Wastewater by the Extraction of Organic Chemicals Through Poroplastic Membranes

摘要

Much industrial chemistry creates wastewater which cannot be reused because of contaminants which, if recoverable, would in fact have significant economic value. Conventional wastewater renovation methods are not adequate to meet this growing need. The objective of this study has been to demonstrate the feasibility of modular membrane extraction systems based on Poroplatic materials. The technical concepts underlying membrane operations resemble those involved in liquid-liquid extraction systems, while potentially avoiding the large equipment, liquid volumes, and organic losses associated with liquid mixing and settling operations. The program included laboratory membrane studies on real and artificial wastewaters, and analysis of the results in terms of practical commercial utility. Results on both phenol and acetic acid are quite positive; a favorable economic analysis based on the experimental data for removing phenol is included in this report. The program also included extensive liaison with industry and agencies to establish the most important areas for application of membrane extraction technology. Real needs seem to be characterized by many diverse contamination problems; an important virtue of modular membrane systems is now seen to be their ready adaptability to different applications, and the feasibility of employing them on individual process waste streams before contaminants from different sources are mixed together. Further work, to demonstrate on-site pilot operation of a prototype membrane system, is being planned.