Abstract:
The methods used to remove potassium sulphate (K2S04) and other impurities
contained within Karbochem finishing plant effluent were investigated. Reverse
osmosis was explored for this application. The study was conducted in two
steps. The first step focuses mainly on the effluent treatment using BW30 flatsheet
as well as BW30-2540 spiral-wound reverse osmosis membranes for the
rejection of potassium and sulphate ions. The membranes were supplied by
Filmtec. The second step reveals the possible use of potassium sulphate
obtained from the brine stream in the fertiliser and fertigation industry by a
literature search.
Reverse osmosis study was conducted on a laboratory scale unit using flat
sheet membranes and also on a pilot plant scale using spiral wound membrane
modules. The tests were conducted at a feed pressure of 20 bar(g) with the
membrane rejections being 98% and 99.1% on flat sheet membrane, and 96.9%
and 99.4% on spiral wound membrane for potassium and sulphates
respectively.
The results show that both membranes have completely desalinated. Significant
reduction in the concentrations of all problematic quality parameters, especially
of potassium and the sulphate ions was noted.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) bed treatment was recommended for pretreatment
of the effluent prior to exposure of the membrane to avoid organic
fouling of the membrane. GAC treatment was tested to illustrate its effectiveness
to adsorb the COD's.
Description:
M. Tech., (Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology Vaal University of Technology|
