UV irradiation and PEG additive effects on PES hybrid membranes performance in rubber industry wastewater treatment

Abstract

Indonesia is currently the world's second biggest rubber producer, after Thailand with 27.11% (3.77 million tons) of all global rubber production. The natural rubber processing industry consumes large amounts of water, utilizes many chemical agents, and produces a large volume of effluent. Membrane technology has many advantages, but there are some classical problems in membrane application. In this study, mixed matrix membranes (PES-SiO2) were modified by PEG addition in membrane dope solution, and UV irradiation to improve membrane performance. Membranes were fabricated using dry/wet phase inversion method. The SEM characterization results show PEG addition makes membrane more porous, thus the flux rate increase. It is also confirmed by SEM study that UV irradiation in membrane fabrication process enhances membrane selectivity by cross-linking increment in membrane matrix. Membrane selectivity reached 55% in TDS rejection, 86% in COD rejection, and 76% in ammonia rejection. The best membrane composition was 18 wt.% PES, 1% nano SiO2, and 5 wt.% PEG. Meanwhile, the optimum UV irradiation time was found at 1.5 minutes.