ABSTRACT

The experiment was conducted to determine the characteristics of 4 types of membranes which known as nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF) membranes.These 4 types of membranes are labelled as Membrane 1, Membrane 2, Membrane 3 and also Memrane 4. The calculation of the composition of solid salt at product are also the objective of this experiment..The experiment was run using approximately 100 grams of sodium chloride. The pressure supply for each membrane is different which is 18 bar, 12 bar, 10 bar and 8.5 bar for membrane 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. The sample of permeates were taken to made up the weight of permeates per time.. The sample is collected from permeate sampling port and sample weighed using a digital weighing balance. The weight of permeates is recorded every 1 minute for 10 minutes until we get 10 readings. The highest amount of permeate at product is 5339.97g and the lowest is about 343.35 g. The graph of permeate weight versus time then is plotted. The experiment was successfully conducted.

INTRODUCTION
Membrane Test Unit is designed to demonstrate the technique of membrane separations without the use of heating energy as in distillation process. The Membrane Test unit Model TR 14 shown in Figure 1 has been designed to demonstrate the technique of membrane separations..

Figure 1

This TR 14 consists of a test module supplied with four different membranes, namely the reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration (UF) and microfiltration (MF) membranes as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

Many processes for separation of gaseous or liquid mixtures use semi permeable membranes that allow one or more constituents of the mixture to pass through more readily than the others. The membrane may be thin layers of a rigid material such as porous glass or sintered metal, but more often they are flexible films or synthetic polymers prepared to have a high permeability for certain types of molecules. In reverse osmosis, permeate is nearly pure water at about 1 atm, and very high pressure is applied to the feed solution to make the activity of the water slightly greater than that in permeate. This provides an activity gradient across the membrane even through the concentration of water in the product is higher than in the feed. This process is done by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a selective membrane. The solute will retained on the pressurized side of the membrane and the pure solvent is allowed to pass to the other side.To be "selective," this membrane should not allow large molecules or ions through the pores (holes), but should allow smaller components of the solution (such as the solvent) to pass freely

Figure 4: comparison of 4 types of membranes

Ultrafiltarion process function typically is to remove high molecular-weight substances, colloidal materials, and organic and inorganic polymeric

molecules.Ultrafiltration used in many different processes such as separation of oilwater emulsions, concentration of latex particles, processing of blood and plasma and removal of bacteria and other particles to sterilize wine. Microfiltration functions from as a membrane & technical gas) by filtration passage process a

thatremoves contaminants

a fluid (liquid

through

microporous membrane. Microfiltration is different from reverse osmosis and nanofiltration in term of pressure. Examples of this microfiltration function are separation of bacteria, paint pigment, yeast and cells from solutions. Microfiltration (MF) and ultra-filtration (UF) systems used a lower pressure compare to reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltartion (NF). Both the MF and UF have been shown to exceed the removal efficiencies. MF and UF membrane system generally use hallow fibers that can be operated in the outside in or inside out direction of flow.

OBJECTIVES
The experiment is conducted in order: 1. 2. 3. To study characteristic on four different types of membranes. To calculate the composition of solid salt at product. Plot graphs of permeate weight versus time

THEORY
There are several types of equipment for membrane processes such as flat membrane, spiral wound membranes and hollow fiber membranes. For the flat membrane, it is usually to characterize the permeability of the membrane. It is easy to fabricate and the areas of the membranes are well defined. Next, for the spiral wound membranes its retains the simplicity of fabricating flat membranes while increase the membrane area per unit separator volume. For the hallow fibermembranes , it has a very small diameter hollow fibers. The graph of permeate weight versus time that should we get is increase in permeate weight as time increase. The product will be decrease in concentration of salt because some salt will be filtrate by the membrane.The formula are use to calculate the composition of salt at product. Mass of salt solution at product; m = A kg salt solution Density of salt solution, Density of water = B

Volume of salt solution at product; = v= =C

Volume of salt that had been filtrate by membrane; = volume of salt solution at feed - volume of salt solution at product = V C= D Composition of solid salt at product = x 100 % = E % (been separate)

= 100-E % = F (composition of salt at product)

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. TR 14 model (membrane test unit) Digital weighing balance Jars Stopwatch 20 L of tap water 100 g of sodium chloride

PROCEDURES
General Start-Up Procedures: 1. 2. Ensure all valves are initially closed. A sodium chloride solution is prepared by adding 100 gram of sodium chloride into 20L of water. 3. 4. The feed tank is filled up with salt solution prepared in step 2. The power is turned on for the control panel. All sensors and indicators are checked for functioning properly. 5. The thermostat is switched on. Thermostat connections are checked so that they are properly fitted. 6. The unit is now ready for experiments.

Experimental Procedure: 1. 2. 3. The general start-up procedure is performed. The experiment for Membrane 1 is started. Open valves V2, V5, V7, V11 and V15. The plunger pump (P1) is switched on to set the maximum working pressure at 20 bars, and slowly close valve V5. Observe pressure value at pressure gauge and the pressure regulator is adjusted to 20 bars. 4. Valve V5 is opened. Then, membrane maximum inlet pressure is set to 18 bars for Membrane 1 by adjusting the retentatecontral valve (V15).
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5.

The system is allowed to run for 5 minutes. The sample is start to collect from permeate sampling port and the sample is weight using digital weighing balance. The weight of permeates is recorded every 1 minute for 10 minutes. Note: to collect sample, open valve V19 and simultaneously close valve V11.

6.

Step 1 to 5 is repeated for Membrane 2, 3 and 4. Open and close the respective sets of valves and the membrane maximum inlet pressure is adjusted for every membrane. Membrane Open Valves (step 2) V2,V5,V7,V11 and V15 V2,V5,V8,V12 and V16 V2,V5,V9,V13 and V17 V2,V5,V10,V14 and V18 Sampling Valves Open V11 and close V19 Open V12 and close V20 Open V13 and close V17 Open V14 and close V22 Retentate Control Valve V15 V16 V17 V18 Membrane maximum inlet pressure (bar) 18 12 10 8.5

1 2 3 4

7.

Plot the graph of permeate weight versus time

General Shut-Down Procedure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The plunger pump is switched off (P2) Valve V2 is closed. Drain all liquid in the feed and product tank by opening valves V3 and V4. Close valve V3 and V4. The system is run with the clean water until the feed tank is nearly empty this is for cleaning purpose).

RESULTS
Time (min) Membrane 1 Max P=18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 38.92 76.89 116.82 156.60 196.13 234.54 275.42 315.08 355.60 396.79 Weight of Permeates (g) Membrane 2 Max P=12 40.81 74.41 107.73 142.62 176.80 208.03 243.35 276.70 310.32 343.35 Membrane 3 Max P=10 79.37 147.25 205.09 272.94 335.46 402.53 465.57 530.39 595.20 650.39 Membrane 4 Max P=8.5 515.65 1108.95 1656.95 2224.26 2712.56 3242.82 3731.15 4277.26 4818.49 5339.97

6000

GRAPH WEIGHT OF PERMEATESVERSUS TIME

5000

4000 Membrane 1 3000 Membrane 2 Membrane 3 2000 Membrane 4

1000

CALCULATIONS
1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. mass of tap water = 20 kg mass of tap water = 20 kg mass of salt = 0.1 kg mass of salt = 0.1 kg mass of salt solution = 20.1 kg mass of salt solution = 20.1 kg volume of tap water = 0.02 m3 volume of tap water = 0.02 m3 3 volume salt solution = 0.02 m3 volume of salt solution = 0.02 m 3 density of water = 1000kg/m 3 density of water = 1000kg/m Density of salt solution, Density of salt solution,
3 3 1000 kg/m 3 = 1005 kg/ m 3 1000 kg/m = 1005 kg/ m

(Membrane 1) Mass of salt solution; m = 0.39679 kg salt solution Volume of salt solution at product, = = 3.948 10-4 m3

v=

Volume of salt that had been filtrate by membrane, = volume of salt solution at feed - volume of salt solution at product = 0.02 m33.94 8 x 10-4 m3 = 0.01961 m3

Percentage of composition of salt at product, = x 100 % = 98.05% (been separate)

= 100 98.05% = 1.95 % (composition of salt at product) (Membrane 2) Mass of salt solution; m = 0.34335 kg salt solution Volume of salt solution at product, = = 3.416 10-4 m3

v=

Volume of salt that had been filtrate by membrane, = volume of salt solution at feed - volume of salt solution at product = 0.02 m33.416 10-4 m3= 0.01965 m3 Percentage of composition of salt at product, = x 100 % = 98.25% (been separate)

= 100 98.25 % = 1.75 % (composition of salt at product)

(Membrane 3) Mass of salt solution; m = 0.65039 kg salt solution Volume of salt solution at product, = = 6.4715 10-4 m3
10

v=

Volume of salt that had been filtrate by membrane, = volume of salt solution at feed - volume of salt solution at product = 0.02 m36.4715 10-4 m3= 0.01935 m3 Percentage of composition of salt at product, = x 100 % = 96.75% (been separate)

= 100 96.75 % = 3.25 % (composition of salt at product)

(Membrane 4) Mass of salt solution; m = 5.33997kg salt solution Volume of salt solution at product, = = 5.3134 10-3 m3

v=

Volume of salt that had been filtrate by membrane, = volume of salt solution at feed - volume of salt solution at product = 0.02 m35.3134 10-3 m3= 0.01469 m3 Percentage of composition of salt at product, = x 100 % = 73.45% (been separate)

= 100 73.45% = 26.55 % (composition of salt at product)

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DISCUSSION
In this experiment, we want to know about the differences between four types of membranes, which are the reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration (UF), and microfiltration (MF) labelled as membrane 1, membrane 2, membrane 3 and membrane 4.Membrane separation is a process of which a solution sample and water is run through a semi permeable membrane that allows them to separate. There will be a osmotic pressure which is the separated water will equilibrate the system. The water is move from low concentration to higher concentration due to the force applied. Permeates designates the liquid passing through the membrane and retentate, or concentrate designates the fraction to not pass through the membrane. Sodium chloride is pass through each membrane and the weight of permeate collected was recorded. The weight of permeate collected shows the efficiency for eachof the

membrane. The experiment is started with sodium chloride was passed through membrane 1 with the pressure inlet of 18 bar. After 10 minutes, permeate collected is 396.79g. The pressure is decrease to 12 bar for the membrane 2 and permeate collected is 343.35g after 10 minutes. Next, for the membrane 3, the permeate collected is 650.39g. The lowest pressure was set for membrane 4 which is only 8.5 bar and highest permeate is recorded for about 5339.97 Besides that, the composition of solid salt at product can also be calculated with the same amount of salt at the feed which is 0.02 m 3. The composition of salt at product is not same for the each type of membrane due to the effectiveness of the membrane itself. It can be proved from the result which for the membrane 1, the composition of salt at product is 1.95%, followed by 1.75%, 3.25% and 26.55% for membrane 2, 3, and 4 respectively. From all the types of membranes, the permeates of membrane 4 is the highest which is 5339.97g while the membrane 3 has the lowest amount of permeates which is only 650.39g.. This is due to the difference in pressure supply to the system and the size of pore depends on the type of membrane used. Pressure inlet for membrane 1 is the highest with 18
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bar and membrane 4 is lowest with 8.5 bar. If the flow rate is slower, then the solution has more time to permeate. The solution will not react thoroughly with the pore and it also caused the solution difficult to pass through the pore, size of pore in membrane also can effect amount of permeate collected. If the size of pore is too small, the solution cannot pass through the pore and amount of permeates also will less. The graph plotted shows thatthe permeates weight is proportional with the time. When the time is increases, the permeates weight also increasing. Besides that, we got the highest line from the graph is during the membrane 4 and the lowest line is when the membrane 3 is using. As the precaution step, the general step up must be conducted as given to ensure that the experiment can be run smoothly and are save to use. When taking the reading, the observer must be faster because the value changes as fast as the flow of permeates. The jar used must be clean and dry to avoid inaccurate data.

CONCLUSION
This experiment was a quite success. Firstly, based on the theory, the membrane 1 to 4 is different due to different maximum inlet pressure of each membrane and each of the membrane give their weight of permeates.The highest amount of permeate at product is 5339.97 g and the lowest is about 650.39 g. From the calculation, for the membrane 1, the composition of salt at product is 1.95%, 1.75% for the membrane 2, 3.25% for the membrane 3 and 26.55% for the membrane 4. The graph of permeate weight versus time then is plotted. From the graph, the permeate weight increases while the time increases. For the membrane 4, the line increases steadily. For the membrane 1, 2 and 3 the lines show sloppier with increase in the percentage of composition of salt at product. Therefore, the objectives of this experiment is successfully achieved.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
There are a few steps of recommendation that can be considered to get accurate data in the experiment. Firstly, general step-up must be conducted as given then followed by the experiment procedures and end with the general shut-down procedures. This is to ensure that the experiment can be progress successfully. Besides that, before starting the experiment for other membranes , the leftover sodium chloride in membrane 1 should be dried first to avoid leaking during the experiment. The membranes must be cleaned before and after usage to avoid fouling which might affect the results. The amount of permeates should be recorded at the approximate moment to avoid inaccuracy. Furthermore, used the suitable size of jar to avoid spillage and affect the permeate weight of solution. Avoid metal contact with product to avoid any corrosion.

REFERENCES
1. 2. Lab Manual Pure & App/.Chem., Vol. ^7, No. 6, pp. 993-1002, 1995. Printed in Great Britain. Q 1995 IUPAC 3. Ridgway, Harry F. (Ph.D) (Advanced Membrane Technologies Stanford University, 2008) 4. McCabe,w.LSmiths,J.C and Harriott Engineering, McGraw-Hill,7th Edition (2001), Unit Operations Of Chemical

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