Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration
Prehydrolysate, a dilute solution consisting mainly of pentoses, hexoses, and lesser quantities of organic acids, furfural and phenolics, is generated in the Kraft dissolving pulp process. An obstacle facing the valorization of the solution in hemicellulose biorefineries, by conversion of the sugars...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2017-12-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/7/4/68 |
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| author | Olumoye Ajao Mohamed Rahni Mariya Marinova Hassan Chadjaa Oumarou Savadogo |
| author_facet | Olumoye Ajao Mohamed Rahni Mariya Marinova Hassan Chadjaa Oumarou Savadogo |
| author_sort | Olumoye Ajao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Prehydrolysate, a dilute solution consisting mainly of pentoses, hexoses, and lesser quantities of organic acids, furfural and phenolics, is generated in the Kraft dissolving pulp process. An obstacle facing the valorization of the solution in hemicellulose biorefineries, by conversion of the sugars into bioproducts such as furfural, is the low sugar concentration. Membrane filtration is typically proposed in several hemicellulose based biorefineries for concentrating the solution, although they are usually generated using different wood species, pretreatment methods, and operating conditions. However, the chemical composition of the solutions is generally not considered. Also, the combined effect of composition and operating conditions is rarely investigated for biorefinery applications. The purpose of this work was to determine the impact of the prehydrolysate composition and operating parameters on the component separation and permeate flux during membrane filtration. Using model prehydrolysate solutions, two commercial reverse osmosis (RO) membranes were screened, and one was selected for use, based on its higher sugar and acetic acid retention. A Taguchi L18 experimental design array was then applied to determine the dominant parameters and limiting factors. Results showed that the feed pressure and temperature have the highest impact on permeate flux, but the least effect on sugar retention. Further experiments to quantify flux decline, due to fouling and osmotic pressure, showed that furfural has the highest membrane fouling tendency, and can limit the lifetime of the membrane. Regeneration of the membrane by cleaning with a sodium hydroxide solution is also effective for reversing fouling. It has been demonstrated that RO can efficiently and sustainably concentrate wood prehydrolysate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:12:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fcf503c4c16a41579729e7d0dc18a45a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T09:12:25Z |
| publishDate | 2017-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-fcf503c4c16a41579729e7d0dc18a45a2023-09-02T14:55:45ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752017-12-01746810.3390/membranes7040068membranes7040068Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution FiltrationOlumoye Ajao0Mohamed Rahni1Mariya Marinova2Hassan Chadjaa3Oumarou Savadogo4Research Unit on Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development of the Forest Biorefinery, Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, C.P. 6079 succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, CanadaCentre National en Électrochimie et en Technologies Environnementales, Shawinigan, 2263, Avenue du Collège, Shawinigan, QC G9N 6V, CanadaResearch Unit on Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development of the Forest Biorefinery, Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, C.P. 6079 succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, CanadaCentre National en Électrochimie et en Technologies Environnementales, Shawinigan, 2263, Avenue du Collège, Shawinigan, QC G9N 6V, CanadaResearch Unit on Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development of the Forest Biorefinery, Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, C.P. 6079 succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, CanadaPrehydrolysate, a dilute solution consisting mainly of pentoses, hexoses, and lesser quantities of organic acids, furfural and phenolics, is generated in the Kraft dissolving pulp process. An obstacle facing the valorization of the solution in hemicellulose biorefineries, by conversion of the sugars into bioproducts such as furfural, is the low sugar concentration. Membrane filtration is typically proposed in several hemicellulose based biorefineries for concentrating the solution, although they are usually generated using different wood species, pretreatment methods, and operating conditions. However, the chemical composition of the solutions is generally not considered. Also, the combined effect of composition and operating conditions is rarely investigated for biorefinery applications. The purpose of this work was to determine the impact of the prehydrolysate composition and operating parameters on the component separation and permeate flux during membrane filtration. Using model prehydrolysate solutions, two commercial reverse osmosis (RO) membranes were screened, and one was selected for use, based on its higher sugar and acetic acid retention. A Taguchi L18 experimental design array was then applied to determine the dominant parameters and limiting factors. Results showed that the feed pressure and temperature have the highest impact on permeate flux, but the least effect on sugar retention. Further experiments to quantify flux decline, due to fouling and osmotic pressure, showed that furfural has the highest membrane fouling tendency, and can limit the lifetime of the membrane. Regeneration of the membrane by cleaning with a sodium hydroxide solution is also effective for reversing fouling. It has been demonstrated that RO can efficiently and sustainably concentrate wood prehydrolysate.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/7/4/68prehydrolysatereverse osmosisfiltrationfurfural productionhemicelluloses biorefineryTaguchi experimental design |
| spellingShingle | Olumoye Ajao Mohamed Rahni Mariya Marinova Hassan Chadjaa Oumarou Savadogo Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration Membranes prehydrolysate reverse osmosis filtration furfural production hemicelluloses biorefinery Taguchi experimental design |
| title | Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration |
| title_full | Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration |
| title_fullStr | Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration |
| title_short | Study of Separation and Fouling of Reverse Osmosis Membranes during Model Hydrolysate Solution Filtration |
| title_sort | study of separation and fouling of reverse osmosis membranes during model hydrolysate solution filtration |
| topic | prehydrolysate reverse osmosis filtration furfural production hemicelluloses biorefinery Taguchi experimental design |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/7/4/68 |
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