1.

ABSTRACT

The Membrane Test Unit (TR14) was used to conduct the membrane separation
experiment. The membrane test unit was used to investigate the membrane separation
technique which is currently used in the industry. From the experiment we can see how
effective and more efficient the separation technique is where heat energy is not used when
compared to the distillation process. This experiment was conducted to study the
characteristics of the four different type of membrane used in the industry. The four type of
membrane used in this experiment is:
Membrane Type Pore Size Inlet Pressure(bar)
Membrane 1 CA202 (Cellulose Reverse Osmosis 18
acetate)
Membrane 2 AFC40 (Polyamide Ultra Filtration 12
Film)
Membrane 3 AFC99 (Polyamide Nano Filtration 10
Film)
Membrane 4 FP100 (PVDF) Micro Filtration 8.5

Each membrane have different maximum inlet pressure so the maximum working
pressure 20bar is set for each membrane experiment. The system was allowed to run for 5
minutes where after that the sample was collected from the sampling port and the weight of
permeates were taken every 1 minute for 10 minutes. The steps was then repeated for all
membranes. From the data recorded, the graph of permeate weight versus time was plotted
2. INTRODUCTION

The membrane separation technique are becoming a popular separation technique to

be used in the industries and become an important technique for the separation industries.
This is because it provide a more effective and cost-efficient separation when compared to
the distillation process where this technique doesnt required for the use of heat energy in the
process.
The membrane separation process is a process where first the membrane controlled
the movement rate of various molecules that passes through the semipermeable barrier
between whether two liquid, two gases or a liquid and a gas. The two substances are miscible
to each other and membrane barrier prevents the ordinary hydrodynamic flow.
There are four type of membrane separation method that is popular in the industries
which is the Reverse Osmosis (RO), Nano Filtration (NF), Ultra Filtration (UF) and Micro
Filtration (MF) membranes. In this experiment, the SOLTEQ Membrane Test Unit (TR 14) is
used to demonstrate the membrane separation technique where all four type of membrane
mentioned before is used. First of all, Reverse osmosis (RO) is a membrane filtration method
that extract many types of large molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to
the solution on one side of a selective membrane. Next, Nano Filtration is a type of reverse
osmosis process where it is a process of water purification that remove contaminants from the
water to produce clean, clear and pure water which is safe to drink. Next, Ultra Filtration is a
separation process where membranes with pore sizes in the range of 0.1 to 0.001 micron are
used where the process will remove high molecular-weight substances, colloidal materials,
and organic and inorganic polymeric molecules. Finally, Micro Filtration is a membrane
separation process that removes contaminants from a fluid, liquid or gas by passing it through
a micro-porous membrane where the membrane pore size is range from 0.1 to 10
micrometers. Different from reverse osmosis and nano filtration, although micro filtration can
use a pressurized system it does not need to include pressure to be used for pushing the
passing fluid.
3. AIMS

The aim of this experiment is to study a characteristic on four different types of membrane and
the membrane separation process.
4. THEORY
5. MATERIAL & APPARATUS
Material
100g of Sodium chloride
20L of Water

Apparatus
SOLTEQ Membrane Test Unit (TR14)
4 different types of membrane
- membrane 1 : CA 202(Cellulose acetate)
- membrane 2 : AFC40(Polyamide Film)
- membrane 3 : AFC99 (Polyamide Film)
- membrane 4 : FP100(PVDF)
Plastic Container
Digital weighing balance
Stopwatch

6. METHOLOGY
General Start-Up Procedures
1. All valves are ensured initially closed.
2. A sodium chloride solution are prepared by adding 100 gram of sodium chloride into
20 liter of water.
3. The feed tank was filled up with the salt solution prepared in step 2. The feed is always
be to be maintained at room temperature.
4. The power for the control panel are turned on. All sensors and indicators are checked
whether it is functioning properly.
5. The thermostat are turned on and make sure the thermo oil level is above the coil inside
thermostat. Also, the thermostat are checked whether connections are properly fitted.
Note: Adjust the temperature at the thermostat to maintain feed temperature.
7. The unit is now ready for experiments.

Procedures:
 1. The general start-up procedures was performed.
2. The experiment was started for Membrane 1. The valves V2, V5, V7, V11 and V15
was opened.
3. To set the maximum working pressure at 20 bars, the plunger pump (P1) switched on
and slowly close valve V5. The pressure value was observed at pressure gauge and
the pressure regulator was adjusted to 20 bars.
Note: Use a proper wrench to turn the adjusting screw at the pressure regulator (PR1) by
turning clockwise to increase pressure and counter-clockwise to reduce pressure.
Warning: Do not operate pump in dry condition. Make sure V2 is opened.
4. Valve V5 was opened. Then, Membrane maximum inlet pressure was set to 18 bars
for Membrane 1 by adjusting the retentate control valve (V15).
5. The system was allowed to run for 10 minutes. Next, sample was start to be collected
from permeate sampling port and the sample was weighed using digital weighing
balance. The weight of permeates was recorded forevery 1 minute for 10 minutes.
Note: To collect sample, open valve V19 and simultaneously close valve V11.
6. The step 1 to 5 was repeated for Membrane 2, 3 and 4. Open and close the respective
sets of valves and adjust the membrane maximum inlet pressure for every membrane
according to below.
Membrane Valves opened Sampling Retentate Membrane
(step 2) Valves control valves Maximum inlet
Pressure(bar)
1 V2, V5, V7, V11 Open V19 V15 18
and V15 close V11
2 V2, V5, V8, V12 Open V20 V16 12
and V16 close V12
3 V2, V5, V9, V13 Open V21 V17 10
and V17 close V13
4 V2, V5, V10, Open V22 V18 8.5
V14 and V18 close V14

7. The graph of permeate weight versus time was plotted.

General Shut-Down Procedures

1. The plunger pump (P2) was switched off.
2. Valve V2 was closed.
3. All liquid in the feed tank and product tank was drained by opening valves V3 and
V4.
4. All the piping with clean water was flushed. Valve V3 and V4 was closed, the feed
tank was filled with clean water until 90% full.
5. The system was run with the clean water until the feed tank is nearly empty for
cleaning purpose.