Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the recovery of the power plant cooling tower blowdown water (CTBD) by membrane distillation. The experiments were carried out using a flat plate poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane with a pore diameter of 0.22 um by a direct contact membrane distillation unit (DCMD). The effects of operating parameters such as transmembrane temperature difference (delta-T), circulation rate and operating time on permeate flux and membrane fouling have been investigated. The results indicated that permeate flux increased with increasing delta-T and circulation rate. Whereas maximum permeate flux was determined as 47.4 L/m2.h at delta-T of 50 degree Celcius for all short term experiments, minimum permeate flux was determined as 7.7 L/m2.h at delta-T of 20 degree Celcius. While 40 degree Celcius was determined as the optimum delta-T in long term experiments. Inorganic and non-volatile substances caused fouling in the membranes.
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