REMOVAL OF INDUSTRIAL LATEX DISPERSIONS FROM WASTE-WATERS USING MICROPOROUS ALUMINA MEMBRANES

A study has been made on the utilization of alumina membranes for the microfiltration of dilute latex dispersions in latex production. In th is operation tubular microfiltration membranes were used with the mean pore diameter equal to 0.1 mum. Feed circulation velocities ranging f rom 0.4-3.6 m/s (Reynolds number, Re=2,200-20,000) were investigated. It has been shown that the ceramic membranes used are acceptable for m icrofiltration of industrial waste water containing poly(vinyl acetate ) and acrylic copolymer latex dispersions. A limiting flux was observe d which depended on the species of the latexes and on the flow velocit y of the feed. The decrease in the flux of permeate was attributed to the resistance of the cake (gel) layer formed on the membrane or block ing of the pores in the membrane. Several technical parameters of inte rest such as flux characteristics, membrane fouling, and latex stabili ty are discussed.