Employing Imino-Bis-Propane Diol Functional Polymers for Boron Removal from Geothermal Waters via Polymer Enhanced Ultrafiltration

Abstract

In this study, polymer enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) was used to remove boron from a geothermal water sample. The effect of co-ions such as chloride and sulfate on boron removal was investigated using previously synthesized poly (vinyl amino-N, N’-bis-propane diol) (GPVA) and its copolymers with DADMAC. The presence of co-anions and use of real waste water did not significantly reduce boron retentions and permeate fluxes. At optimum operating conditions 98% boron removal was achieved. It was demonstrated that 97% of complexation capacity of polymer can be recovered and reused by two-cycle decomplexation at pH 4.