Coating of mixed-matrix membranes with powdered activated carbon for fouling control and treatment of dairy effluent

A novel membrane configuration consisting of a powdered activated carbon mixed-matrix membrane (PAC-MMM) and PAC loading onto its surface was fabricated via a combination of wet-phase inversion and pressure deposition technique for treatment of cheese whey wastewater (CWW) as a dairy effluent. The structural and mechanical properties of the PAC-MMMs with different concentrations of PAC were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and tensile strength analysis. Characterization of the fabricated PAC-MMMs indicated that the filtration properties were improved by increasing the PAC concentration up to 0.5 wt.%. On the basis of this result, the 0.5 wt.% PAC-MMM was selected for further modification by PAC loading on the membrane surface. The experimental results revealed that the PAC-coated MMM at optimum surface PAC loading of 30 gm(-2) could remove almost 95% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) at the initial stage of filtration. The CWW flux was 125 Lm(-2)h(-1), while the irreversible fouling was significantly decreased compared to an un-coated MMM. High permeation flux, high mechanical properties, high organic matters removal, low fouling, and low investment costs, make the 30 gm(-2) PAC-coated MMM a good candidate for treatment of dairy effluents. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Institution of Chemical Engineers.