Resource Recovery Using PolyCera® Titan 500 Nanofiltration Membrane
- Industry: Chemical
Application Overview:
Recovering valuable compounds from industrial wastewater is a growing priority for resource conservation and cost efficiency. In 2021, a chemical production facility implemented PolyCera® Titan 500 nanofiltration (NF) membranes to recover magnesium sulfate from cellulose acetate production wastewater.
The system was designed for continuous operation at a capacity of 43 m³/h, with the goal of improving recovery rates and minimizing environmental impact.
Process Design:
The PolyCera Titan 500 NF membrane was selected for its ability to handle industrial wastewater with high solute loads and fouling potential. The treatment process includes:
Feedwater Source: Cellulose acetate production wastewater containing magnesium sulfate and organic impurities with molecular weights >500 Da.
PolyCera® Titan 500 NF Membrane Filtration:
- Retains organic and high-molecularweight impurities.
- Allows selective passage of magnesium sulfate.
Continuous Recovery Loop: System runs in a stable, continuous mode achieving high permeate flow and product concentration.
Cleaning Protocols:
- Periodic flushing removes surface fouling.
- Chemical cleaning restores near 100% membrane flux.
Downstream Compatibility: Filtrate feeds directly into a secondary sulfate removal NF system without operational issues.
Results:
The PolyCera Titan nanofiltration system delivered the following outcomes:
High Recovery Rate: Achieved >90% initial system recovery, with total recovery up to 99% after integration with downstream biological treatment.
Selective Separation: Effectively removed contaminants >500 Da, while allowing magnesium sulfate to pass through for direct reuse.
Stable Operation: Chemical cleaning restored membrane performance fully, supporting continuous production with minimal downtime.
Downstream Performance: Ensured trouble-free operation of the follow-on nanofiltration system for sulfate removal.
Conclusion:
The use of PolyCera® Titan 500 nanofiltration membranes for magnesium sulfate recovery from cellulose acetate production wastewater enabled efficient, selective separation and high recovery performance. The system supported continuous production, minimized waste, and delivered reliable operation across multiple process stages.
This case highlights the value of PolyCera membranes in industrial resource recovery, offering a durable and scalable solution for facilities targeting circular water use and cost savings.
