Modificação de superfície de membrana de PEAUPM para tratamento de efluentes oleosos.

Abstract

The use of bentonite clays in polymer nanocomposites has received worlwide attention due to the characteristics presented by these systems. In this work, the internal surfaces of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMWPE) membranes were modified by impregnation with a solution obtained from HDPE/clay (natural and organophilic) nanocomposites aiming to reduce UHMWPE membrane pore sizes. The modified membranes were characterized by SEM, mercury porosimetry and performance (permeate flow through the membrane and selectivity) which were measured using distilled watter and an oil/water dispersion. Our data indicates that HDPE/organoclay film deposition led to significant reduction in permeate flux and that the membranes were capable to reduce the amount of oil in the water to values lower than 20ppm which means that this water can be used for oil well re-injection or even to be discarded in the environment.