INTRODUCTION

Membrane separation processes have very important role in separation industry. This Membrane Separation Unit has been designed to demonstrate the techniques of membrane separations which are becoming highly popular as they provide effective separation without the use of heating energy as in distillation processes. For the mass transfer at the membrane, two basic models can be distinguished: the solution-diffusion model and the hydrodynamic model. In real membranes, these two transport mechanisms certainly occur side by side, especially during the ultra filtration. Depending on the type of membrane, the selective separation of certain individual substances or substance mixtures is possible. Important technical applications include drinking water by reverse osmosis filtrations in the food industry, the recovery of organic vapors such as gasoline vapor recovery and the electrolysis for chlorine production. But also in wastewater treatment, the membrane technology is becoming increasingly important. The membrane separations are different from many of the other separation processes like solvent extraction, chromatographic methods involving partition, adsorption, ion exchange etc. which involve equilibrium between the substances getting separated and the separating phases. The onset of equilibrium in these processes restricts the extent of separation achievable and the equilibrium is shifted suitably to achieve the desired level of purity. Also, in some of these processes, a reversal of equilibrium is often necessary to regenerate the separating medium so that it can be reused. In these processes which are equilibrium governed, we always talk of how much separation is accomplished in terms of partition coefficients or distribution ratios. In contrast, membrane processes are rate governed processes wherein we talk not only of relative quantity of the substance separated but also about the rate at which the separation is taking place. Also, membrane processes are continuous separation processes and there is no need of membrane regeneration as is required in equilibrium governed processes. Because of some of its inherent advantages, the membrane processes are replacing some of the well known separation techniques for technological applications.

AIMS/OBJECTIVE In this experiment, we will be able to perform a characteristic study on 4 different types of membranes. This experiment requires approximately 100 gram of sodium chloride.

THEORY A membrane is a selective barrier that permits the separation of certain species in a fluid by combination of sieving and sorption diffusion mechanism. Separation is achieved by selectively passing (permeating) one or more components of a stream through the membrane while retarding the passage of one or more other components Membrane processes are characterized by the fact that a feed stream is divided into 2 streams: retentate and permeate. The retentate is that part of the feed that does not pass through the membrane, while the permeate is that part of the feed that does pass through the membrane. The optional "sweep" is a gas or liquid that is used to help remove the permeate. The component(s) of interest in membrane separation is known as the solute. The solute can be retained on the membrane and removed in the retentate or passed through the membrane in the permeate.

Membrane Information The membranes are manufactured under the PCI system. PCI Membranes manufactures an extensive range of tubular reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and open ultrafiltration membranes, which are widely used in the chemical and pharmaceutical process industries for food and beverage processing and for waste treatment. These membranes are ideally suited to processing liquids containing suspended solids, or where precipitation may occur during processing.

APPARATUS & MATERIALS Apparatus 1) TR 14 Membrane Test Unit apparatus. 2) 500 mL beakers. 3) Electronic balance. 4) Gloves Reagents 1) Sodium Chloride 2) Water

PROCEDURE General start-up procedure 1. All the valves were making sure initially closed. 2. A sodium chloride solution was prepared by adding 100g of sodium chloride into 20L of water. 3. The tank was filled up with the salt solution that prepared in step 2. The feed was maintained at room temperature. 4. The power for control panel was turn on. All sensors and indicators were check to functioning properly. 5. Thermostat was switch on and the thermo oil level was making sure above the coil inside thermostat. Thermostat was checked if connections were properly fitted. The temperature was adjusted at the thermostat to maintain feed temperature. 6. The unit is now ready for experiments.

Experimental procedure 1. The experiment was started with membrane 1. Valves V2, V5, V7, V11 and V15 were opened. 2. To set the maximum working pressure at 20 bars, the plunger pump (P1) was switched on and valve V5 was slowly closed. The pressure value at pressure gauge was observed and the pressure regulator was adjusted to 20 bars. 3. Valve V5 was opened. Then, membrane maximum inlet pressure was set to 18 bars for Membrane 1 by adjusting the retentive control valve (V15). 4. The system was allowed to run for 5 minutes. Sample from permeate sampling port was collected and the sample was weighed using digital weighing balance. The weight of permeates was recorded every 1 minute for 10 minutes. 5. The step 1 to 5 was repeated for Membrane 2, 3 and 4. The respective sets of valves were opened and closed and the membrane maximum inlet pressure was adjusted for every membrane.

Membrane

Open Valves

Sampling Valves

Retentive control valve

Membrane maximum inlet pressure(bar) 18

V2, V5, V7, Open V19 and V15 V11 and V15 close V11 V2, V5, V8, Open V20 and V16 V12 and V16 close valve V12 V2, V5, V9, Open V21 and V17 V13 and V17 close valve V13 V2, V5, V10, Open V22 and V18 V14 and V18 close V14

12

10

8.5

6. The graph of permeate weight versus time was plotted.

General shut-down operation 1. The plunger pump was switch off. 2. Valve 2 was closed. 3. All liquid in the feed tank and product tank were drain by opening valves V3 and V4. 4. The entire pipes were flush with clean water. V3 and V4 were closed; the clean water was filled to the feed tank until 90% full. 5. The system was run with the clean water until the feed tank nearly empty for cleaning purposed.