Two indigenous high sheared membrane modules' performance expatiation for the ultrafiltration of polyethylene glycol

Abstract

Performance of the ultrafiltration (UF) with anti-thixotropic polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 was investigated in the present study using two forward-looking high sheared membrane modules called radial flow membrane module (RFMM) and turbine flow membrane module (TFMM). In addition, the present study has been extended to investigate the effect of both polyether sulfone (PES) and poly sulfone (PSf) membranes equipped within the individual module during ultrafiltration of hydrophilic PEG 6000. Moreover, applicability of the membrane-module combination was judged along with the membrane reusability and the power consumed by these modules. TFMM equipped with PSf membrane was found to be more effective in this respect at 20 kg m−3 initial PEG 6000 concentration and 0.2 MPa in creating maximum shear rate over the membrane attributing to moderate flux with low pump energy consumption. Around 97% water flux regains after two consecutive experiments with maximum initial PEG 6000 concentration in order to conclude the reusability of the post-washed membrane even the membrane was exposed to the highest level of concentration.