Separation of ternary sodium chloride/Reactive Black-5 aqueous solutions using two different modules in a nanofiltration pilot plant

Nanofiltration of ternary mixtures of sodium chloride and aqueous solutions of Reactive Black-5 was studied in two different modules, namely, flat sheet and spiral wound over a wide range of operating conditions. Hydrophilized polyamide membrane with molecular weight cutoff of 150 was used for the experiments. Combined effect of dye and salt concentration, trans-membrane pressure drop, initial pH of feed solution on the permeate flux, and observed retention were investigated. Extent of color removal, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solid (TDS), and conductivity were determined to assess performance of the membrane. The experimental results showed that both the permeate flux and observed retention decreased with increase in dye as well as salt concentration in the feed. Permeate fluxes were lower at higher pH values. Substantial removal of color was achieved in the nanofiltration experiments with a marked reduction in COD and TDS. The process allowed the production of permeate stream with great reutilization possibilities.