Membrane aromatic recovery system (MARS): lab bench to industrial pilot scale Original Research Article

This article describes a novel process for recovery of aromatic amines and phenolic compounds form wastewaters, the membrane aromatic recovery aromatic system (MARS). Laboratory work on wastewaters containing aniline and phenol will be presented, including data demonstrating removal and recovery of each chemical in a sufficiently pure form to allow recycling into a chemical production process. This article also describes successful scale-up and operation of the process through pilot trials at Solutia, UK. Process economics are discussed and data showing the potential for application of the process to a wide range of organic chemicals are presented.