APPLICATION OF BATCH ULTRAFILTRATION TO THE SEPARATION OF W/O EMULSIONS IN LIQUID SURFACTANT MEMBRANE PROCESSES

In this paper, the effect of various operating parameters and conditions for emulsion formulation on flux and rejection was investigated in the ultrafiltration (UF) of W/O/W double emulsions. It was found that the viscosity of W/O/W double emulsions played an important role in UF flux. The membrane fouling behavior was observed and analyzed using the concept of a modified fouling index. Under the conditions studied, the total organic content rejection was higher than 0.95 equivalent to 100 to 400 ppm and UF flux normally reached about 60% of pure water flux. In addition, the fouled cellulosic membranes could be easily cleaned. The present study demonstrated that the application of UF to the separation of W/O emulsions from external phase would be incentive in liquid surfactant membrane processes.