Investigation of ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous solution by nanofiltration process

Abstract

This study investigated the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) from aqueous solution at a concentration of 10 mg l-1 and the permeate flux behavior during dead-end stirred-cell filtration system using six type of commercially available loose and tight NF membranes (NP010, NP030, NF90, NF270, CK3001 and DS-5DK). The rejection of CIPRO and permeate flux value were evaluated according to the effects of different parameters such as volume reduction factor (VRF), membrane type, transmembrane pressure (TMP) and pH. Contact angle and SEM measurements were also performed for the analysis of the pollution occurring in the pores and on the surfaces of the membranes. Filtration experiments for all membranes used indicated that the flux reached the steady state at VRF 3. CIPRO rejection was found to vary especially with both pH and membrane tightness. Despite the fact that, the loose NF membranes showed poor and variable CIPRO removal, the highest rejection was obtained with NF90 tight membrane at the original pH value (pH 5.65) and 10 bar of applied pressure. NF90 membrane achieved 98.3% TOC, 98.9% COD, 96.9% TDS and 95.7% Ec rejections at 24.39 l m-2 h-1 permeate flux at the predefined operating conditions.