Crossed mixture process design approach to model nanofiltration rejection for non-dilute multi-ionic solutions in a given range of solution compositions

Abstract

The goal of the present work is to illustrate the applicability of crossed mixture-process design to predict the rejection of the nanofiltration membranes when treating non-dilute solutions. The method used in this work is based on the use of mixture factors derived from the fractions of equivalents of the major ions present in solution combined with the total concentration as a process variable. In this way, polynomial models for permselectivity properties can be obtained.Model accuracy is improved by using pseudo-components to restrict the range of the composition variables to that expected for the feed water compositions. The experimental plan uses the D-optimal criterion. As an application example, the procedurewas used to model the performance of the nanofiltration membrane NF270 (Dow-Filmtec) with ionicmixtures containing chloride, nitrate, sulfate, sodium and calcium. The experimentswere carried out in a pilot plantwith solutions of total concentration ranging from 2480 to 4050 mg/L. The obtained polynomialmodels could satisfactorily describe individual ion rejection despite the solutions not being dilute. The polynomial models can be useful for design and operation purposes as an alternative to physical-based nanofiltration models.