Understanding of phenolic compound retention mechanisms on PES-UF membrane

Abstract

Ultra ltration (UF) is investigated as a possible alternative to remove organic compounds from aqueous synthetic solution. This paper presents a comprehensive study towards a better understanding of phenolic compound retention mechanisms during UF processes. Thus, removal of phenol and resorcinol was studied using a polyethersulfone ultra ltration (PES-UF) membrane. The in uence of main operating conditions (feed concentration, transmembrane pressure, and pH) on the retention was evaluated. Membrane{solute interactions were found to play an important role during the process, suggesting the adsorption of the target compounds on the PES-UF membrane. The level of adsorption was consequently evaluated by measuring the quantity of each compound per surface unit of membrane. According to the kinetic study, the pseudo- rst order model was found to t better the experimental values. The adsorption equilibrium data t the Langmuir model. In addition, the adsorption mechanism was evaluated by the intraparticle diffusion model and appeared to be a complex mechanism.