Laboratory study of sulfate ions reduction from an industrial wastewater by nanofiltration process

In this study, the performance of nanofiltration process using NF33-1812-50 membrane for reduction of sulfate anion from an industrial wastewater has been investigated. The effects of pressure, temperature, volume flow rate, and sulfate concentration in feed were studied. For this purpose, sulfate concentration has been selected between 400-500 ppm, and the pressure range was between 20-80 psi. To prepare artificial wastewater, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide and Acetic Acid were used. The results showed that the reduction of sulfate anions is possible with the upper limit. The removal rate was between 96-99%. By increasing the pressure and temperature, this rate increases, and at upper concentration this level decreases. In this study, the optimum process conditions were at pressure of 50 psi, temperature of 25ºC, and feed flow rate of 4 L/min. At these conditions an industrial wastewater was used; the reduction efficiency of sulfate anion was 97.34%.