Abstract
Environmental problems that arise from acidic water containing aluminum generated from condensing thermal power plants can be suitably solved using membrane processes. In this paper, simultaneous neutralization with aluminum ion separation, from acidic waters containing aluminum traces, through permeation with polypropylene with inclusions of cellulose derivatives (PP / CellD)capillary composite membranes is approached. Cellulose derivatives considered are: acetylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl 2 hydroxyethyl cellulose. The optimum working parameters for the best performance of composite membrane based on carboxymethylcellulose were determined: operating time and pH of the receiving phase. Simultaneously with the quantitative removal of the aluminum ions, it is obtained an almost neutral pH purified water, compatible with the natural waters in which it can be dispersed.
Keywords: composite membranes; cellulosic derivatives; pertraction; aluminum separation