Application of membrane processes to separation of hydrocarbons from wastewater

Abstract

Oily water emulsions are the main pollutants emitted into water by industry and domestic sewage and are the major pollution problem because oilfield produced water has distinctive characteristics due to organic and inorganic matter. Mainly, it includes salt and hydrocarbons, which may be toxic to the environment. So far, there are several techniques for oil separation. Typical ones include chemical emulsification, pH adjustment, gravity settling, centrifugal settling, filter coalescence, heating treatment, electrostatic coalescence, membrane separation, etc. There are some advantages and disadvantages connected with each of these techniques. This paper reports the application of UF membranes for hydrocarbon wastewater separation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of membrane properties and the effect of operating conditions, i.e., the transmembrane pressure and the initial feed concentration on ultrafiltration of the synthesized oily water.