Efficiencies of NF and RO Membranes on Pharmaceutical Removal and Membrane Fouling Effects

Authors

  • Katanchalee Phadunghus Chulalongkorn University
  • Aunnop Wongrueng Chiang Mai University
  • Pharkphum Rakruam Chiang Mai University
  • Suraphong Wattanachira Chiang Mai University
  • Patiparn Punyapalakul Chulalongkorn University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2017.21.3.101

Keywords:

Carbamazepine, membrane fouling, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, sulfamethoxazole.

Abstract

The efficiencies of nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes in removing carbamazepine (CBZ) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) were studied. To do this, the NF and RO membranes NF-1 and RO-1 were used, and the isoelectric points of the NF-1 and RO-1 membranes were determined to be at approximate pH of 6.0. The NF-1 membrane’s CBZ rejections at solution pH values of 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0 were in a slight range of 92 - 93%. Additionally, SMX rejections by the NF-1 membrane at the same three solution pH values were 87%, 91%, and 94%, respectively. Meanwhile, the RO-1 membrane’s CBZ rejections at those solution pH values were also in a narrow range of 92 - 94%, and its SMX rejections were 94%, 97%, and 98%, respectively. Solution pH was found to have no effect on CBZ rejection but it did affect SMX rejection. Mixed pharmaceuticals showed insignificant change in rejections compared with those of single pharmaceutical. The effect of membrane fouling on SMX removal was observed. It was found that when the membranes were fouled by tannic acid (TA) in the presence and absence of calcium chloride (CaCl2), the membrane’s rejection of SMX was improved.

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Author Biographies

Katanchalee Phadunghus

International Postgraduate Programs in Environmental Management, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Aunnop Wongrueng

Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Pharkphum Rakruam

Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Suraphong Wattanachira

Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Patiparn Punyapalakul

Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

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Published In
Vol 21 No 3, Jun 15, 2017
How to Cite
[1]
K. Phadunghus, A. Wongrueng, P. Rakruam, S. Wattanachira, and P. Punyapalakul, “Efficiencies of NF and RO Membranes on Pharmaceutical Removal and Membrane Fouling Effects”, Eng. J., vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 101-112, Jun. 2017.

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