Stability of skim latex suspension and rubber content recovery by microfiltration process: operating conditions and fouling characteristics

Abstract

Abstract To minimize the environmental impact of the latex industry and recover a large part of rejected skim latex, this research focused on the stabilization and concentration of skim latex suspension by chemical conditioning and microfiltration. The experiments were carried out in microfiltration stirred cell and cross-flow microfiltration unit to evaluate (1) suspension filterability and (2) critical permeate flux according to suspension conditioning. Critical permeate flux is defined as follows: when filtering feed suspension in cross-flow conditions during short time experiments, the trans-membrane pressure (TMP) increase induces firstly a linear evolution of permeate flux (J) before observing a progressive stabilization of J, even if there is a greater increase in TMP. The critical flux corresponds to the highest value of permeate flux obtained when the linear evolution J versus TMP is observed. Obtained results allowed the identification of critical filtering conditions, optimum chemical condition...