EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A PILOT-SCALE MEMBRANE FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR OILY WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Abstract
In this study, a pilot-scale submerged membrane filtration system using hollow fiber (HF) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes was experimentally investigated to treat synthetic oily seawater containing heavy crude oil (Cold Lake Dilbit (CLD)) and light crude oil (Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO)). In this research project, the effect of different operating parameters such as aeration flow rate and membrane flux using different initial oil concentrations on the ultrafiltration (UF) membrane performance was examined. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal efficiency was found to be more than 91%. The results from the experiments met MARPOL 73/78 regulation which defines the oil content in the treated water does not exceed 15 ppm. Different fractions of petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds were reduced as well. The overall performance of this system in treatment of synthetic oily seawater proves its promising capability as an onsite treatment technology in oil spill response operations.