The use and performance of nanofiltration membranes for agro-industrial effluents purification

Abstract

Nanoiltration (NF) technology ofers several advantages over classic separation pro- cesses. NF membranes have been increasingly implemented in water treatment processes (e.g., desalination of brackish water and seawater) and for wastewater (e.g., textile, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, and agro-industrial). The speciic selectivity toward small solutes and the lower energy consumption of NF membranes have enhanced their use. However, some drawbacks need to be faced when NF is applied on an industrial scale. The main drawback is fouling that reduces the production capacity of the plant and shortens the membrane service lifetime if of irreversible nature, thus increasing the oper- ating and capital costs. Moreover, fouling alters the selectivity of the membrane and thus the rejection eiciency. This chapter focuses the use of NF for the treatment of diferent agro-industrial eluents (such as dairy, tomato, and olive oil) and addresses membrane fouling as the main drawback against NF competitiveness.