Removal of chromium from synthetic wastewater using MFI zeolite membrane supported on inexpensive tubular ceramic substrate

A mordenite framework inverted (MFI) type zeolite membrane was produced on inexpensive tubular ceramic substrate through hydrothermal synthesis and applied for the removal of chromium from synthetic wastewater. The fabricated ceramic substrate and membrane was characterized by diverse standard techniques such as X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, porosity, water permeability and pore size measurements. The porosity of the ceramic substrate (53%) was reduced by the deposition of MFI (51%) zeolite layer. The pore size and water permeability of the membrane was evaluated as 0.272 μm and 4.43 × 10 –7 m 3 /m 2 s.kPa, respectively, which are lower than that of the substrate pore size (0.309 μm) and water permeability (5.93 × 10 –7 m 3 /m 2 s.kPa) values. To identify the effectiveness of the prepared membrane, the applied pressure of the filtration process and initial chromium concentration and cross flow rate were varied to study their influence on the permeate flux and percentage of removal. The maximum removal of chromium achieved was 78% under an applied pressure of 345 kPa and an initial feed concentration of 1,000 ppm. Finally, the efficiency of the membrane for chromium removal was assessed with other membranes reported in the literature.