Experimental determination of four characteristics used to predict the retention of a ceramic nanofiltration membrane

A ceramic nanofiltration membrane made of ZrO2/MgO was analyzed from a physical and chemical viewpoint, in order to acquire the data (pore radius distribution, porosity, thickness of the filtration layer, charge) required for modeling the retention of neutral and charged solutes by the membrane. Experimental results on the retention of sugars and salts, according to the operating conditions (flow, concentration) and properties of the solutes (size, charge), were deduced from filtration experiments, Models - based on the description of the transfer of solutes from the solution to the permeate, including the concentration polarization, steric effect and Donnan effect - can be used to predict correctly the membrane retention when the physical measurements are taken into account. The techniques therefore make it possible to determine the parameters characterizing the membrane, statically and dynamically. This working method links purely static measurements performed on the membrane with filtration and separations that could be considered with this porous medium.