Low pressure reverse osmosis membranes: Concentration and treatment of hazardous wastes

This paper deals with the use of low pressure reverse osmosis membranes for the removal and concentration of hazardous constituents from selected industrial wastes. Low pressure operation significantly reduces the capital cost and energy consumption. The results of an extensive experimental investigation involving the simultaneous removal of organics and inorganics from synfuel wastes are presented. Membrane experiments also included treatment of phenolic wastes, organic acid wastes, and pesticide wastes. The extent of separation with thinfilm composite membranes (at 2.1 x 10⁶ N/m²) was evaluated with raw and pretreated oil shale retorting wastewater.