A Comparison of Membrane Technologies for Engine Coolant Recycling

Abstract

Abstract Recycling of used engine coolants containing ethylene glycol and other glycols would appear to be well established, particularly for reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membrane, electrodialysis, and distillation-based processes. Both literature and recycling facilities indicate success in employing these techniques. However, many recyclers, particularly those employing a single treatment technology, are not capable of producing recycled product meeting original equipment manufacturer (OEM) requirements for coolant, and these typically fall far short of approaching virgin (nonrecycled) coolant quality. In addition, some recycling facilities have produced and marketed product that led to coolant system damage and engine failure, either as a result of not sufficiently removing contaminants or inadequately reformulating with corrosion inhibitors and other additives. The danger of process upsets resulting in inadequate product is particularly high for those facilities that receive feeds with varying contaminant levels and coolants containing a range of corrosion inhibitors and additives (silicates, organic acids, etc.). However, no study to date has focused on a fundamental assessment of the separation characteristics and interactions of the various classes of coolant technologies with the commercially available reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and electrodialysis ion exchange membranes typically seen in recycling operations. This study presents results of a comprehensive evaluation of the separation characteristics of a wide range of these membranes with a wide range of coolant types. In particular, the study examined production rate characteristics, inhibitor and other additive separation, and contaminant removal for reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and electrodialysis. Residual inhibitors remaining in the recycled coolant are examined, with guidance provided on how these residuals might affect coolant reformulation and performance.