Fabrication and performance evaluation of Faujasite zeolite composite ultrafiltration membrane by separation of trivalent ions from aqueous solution

This study deals with the separation of trivalent salts (FeCl3 and AlCl3) from aqueous solution using Faujasite (FAU) zeolite composite ultrafiltration membrane. The ceramic support was prepared by a facile uniaxial compaction method and sintered at 950 degrees C. The FAU coating on the ceramic support was done at 75 degrees C by hydrothermal method. The structural properties of FAU powder and the composite membrane were performed with X-ray diffraction, zeta potential measurements, and field emission scanning electron microscope. The porosity of ceramic support and the composite membrane is found to be 47% and 33%, respectively. With the pure water permeation test, the average pore size of the FAU zeolite membrane and ceramic support is evaluated to be 0.153 and 1.0 mu m, respectively. Finally, the FAU zeolite composite membrane is employed for separation assessment of trivalent salt solutions. A maximum rejection of 81% for FeCl3 and 75% for AlCl3 is obtained at an applied pressure of 276 kPa for the feed concentration of 250 ppm. (c) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1047-1054, 2016