Author/Authors :
Majouli, A. Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Mohammedia - Laboratory of Materials, Catalysis and Environment, Morocco , Tahiri, S. Faculty of Sciences of El Jadida - Laboratory of Water and Environment, Department of Chemistry, Morocco , Alami Younssi, S. Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Mohammedia - Laboratory of Materials, Catalysis and Environment,, Morocco , Loukili, H. Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Mohammedia - Laboratory of Materials, Catalysis and Environment, Morocco , Albizane, A. Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of Mohammedia - Laboratory of Materials, Catalysis and Environment, Morocco
Abstract :
This study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of microfiltration in treating effluent coming from beamhouse section of tannery. Two tubular ceramic membranes were tested: A Zirconia ZrO2 membrane (M1) deposited on a macroporous support made from Cordierite and a commercial Alumina membrane (M2). The pore diameter of microfiltration layer is 0.23 ìm for the first membrane (M1) and 0.2 ìm for the second (M2). The average membrane permeabilities determined using pure distilled water are 1136 l/h.m².bar and 1033 l/h.m².bar, respectively. Microfiltration using Cordierite/ZrO2 membrane proved to be effective in removing the turbidity and the dark colour of the effluent and in reducing COD and TKN with almost the same efficiencies than that obtained with Alumina membrane: Tangential microfiltration process was seen to remove turbidity from the feed completely; the removal percentage of suspended solids from the effluent is between 98.5 and 100%. This technique operated at lower pressure (1 bar) showed significant reduction of COD (60-65%) and TKN (57-59%). The filtration’s effect on conductivity was negligible. The combination of microfiltration with other techniques should be carried out to achieve the treatment.
Keywords :
Treatment , Tannery , Beamhouse effluent , Tangential microfiltration , Ceramic membrane
