Sizing agents recovery by ultrafiltration: effects of operating conditions

Abstract

The recycling of polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylate and carboxymethylstarch based sizing agents by ultrafiltration, and the parameters influencing the process were investigated in this study. The performance of the ultrafiltration process has been comparatively investigated at four different temperatures, 20°C, 30°C, 60°C and 90°C, and six different time periods, 0 to 240 minutes with 40 minutes intervals. The effect of a lubricant has also been investigated. Results indicate a considerable increase in concentrate concentration with prolonged operating times and elevated temperatures. The use of lubricant did not have a considerable effect on UF recovery efficiency, however, it passed to the permeate at elevated temperatures resulting in decrease in the COD charge reduction.