Oily wastewater treatment by using ceramic microfiltration-adsorption hybrid process

In this study four types of ceramic microfiltration membranes were fabricated by extrusion and sintering method; Mullite, mullite-alumina, mullite-alumina-zeolite and mullite-zeolite membranes. In order to ensure the correct fabrication of membranes, fabricated membranes were subjected to characterization tests such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), porosimetery, mechanical strength and mean pore size calculation. Synthetic oily wastewater were treated by these membranes in microfiltration-adsorption hybrid process. Effect of Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) concentration on the membrane permeation flux, oil removal efficiency, turbidity and COD removal were investigated. Results showed that in mullite, mullite-alumina and mullite-alumina-zeolite membranes, highest permeate flux obtained in 800 mg L-1 of PAC concentration. For mullite-zeolite membranes addition of 200 mg L-1 PAC concentration lead to highest permeate flux. Addition of PAC with any concentration in all membranes increased oil removal, turbidity and COD removal percent significantly.