Y-Type Zeolite Membranes: Synthesis by Secondary by Method and Application in Treatment of Oily Effluents

Abstract

Several zeolite membrane types, including Mordenite (MOR), Linde Type A (LTA), and Faujasite (FAU), have been developed. Among these membranes, FAU zeolite membranes have a variety of applications, especially in the separation of mixtures that contain large molecules. The goal of this study is to use zeolite membranes (Y/alumina) to separate suspensions of oil-in-water emulsion. Two ceramic supports were prepared from the alumina at different sintering temperatures (700°C and 1200°C) to obtain gamma-alumina and alpha-alumina, respectively. The materials prepared, zeolite Y membranes/alpha-alumina and Y/gamma-alumina, were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The powder pressing method was used to compact the alpha-alumina and gamma-alumina ceramic support and the dip-coating method was used to prepare the zeolite Y membranes. The XRD pattern showed that the zeolite Y membrane/alumina obtained by the secondary growth dip-coating method, independent of the ceramic support used, showed no trace of the phases characterized as impurities. It was possible to observe a significant reduction in the concentration of oil in the permeate for the zeolite Y membranes, thus showing their potential for use in this application.