Preparation and application of zeolite/ceramic microfiltration membranes for treatment of oil contaminated water

NaA zeolite microfiltration (MF) membranes were prepared on alpha-Al(2)O(3) tube by in situ hydrothermal synthesis method and investigated for water separation and recovery from oily water. NaA/alpha-Al(2)O(3) MF membranes with average inter-particle pore sizes of 1.2 mu m, 0.4 mu m and 0.2 mu m were prepared. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the inter-particle pore size distribution (PSD) was determined by gas bubble pressure method. Membranes with pore sizes of 1.2 p,m (NaA1) and 0.41 mu m (NaA2) were used to treat an oil-in-water emulsion containing 100 mg/L oil. Better than 99% oil rejection was obtained and water containing less than 1 mg/L oil was produced at 85 Lm(-2) h(-1) by NaA1 at a membrane pressure of 50 kPa. Consistent membrane performance was maintained by a regeneration regime consisting of frequent backwash with hot water and alkali solution. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.