Membrane-based treatment for tanning wastewaters

Tanning wastewater was subjected to different unit operations to select the best treatment sequences. Textile membrane filtration (TMF), microfiltration (MF), and ultrafiltration (UF) were complemented by screening, flocculation or flotation operations. The general chemical characterization determined that the wastewater had a high organic load. The ecotoxicological study classified the wastewater as highly ecotoxic. The sequence of screening-TMF-UF was found to be the optimal treatment for wastewaters of the first and second soaking stages, while the sequence of screening-TMF-flotation-UF proved to be adequate for the liming wastewater concerning productivity and water quality. Larger pore sizes MF membrane or higher molecular weight cut off (MWCO) UF membranes with higher permeability to pure water showed lower permeation fluxes for tanning wastewater. After membrane treatments, a decrease in the ecotoxicity was measured. The use of membrane treatment technology showed to be promising in removing organic pollutants and allowing the reuse of water and chemicals in the process.