REMOVAL OF CHROMATE FROM AQUEOUS STREAMS BY CROSFLOW FILTRATION

Removal of chromate ions from aqueous streams investigated using Micellar-Enhanced Crossflow Filtration technique(MEUF) in which the cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB), was used as the carrier for the metal ions. The variation of chromate, and surfactant rejections with time were measured as a function of transmembrane pressure drop(?P), crossflow velocity and CTAB/chromate, while membrane pore size and pH of the feed solution was constant. The method was found to be effective in removing chromate from wastewater. It was observed that the efficiency of chromate removal for low CTAB concentration increased with increasing transmembrane pressure drop(?P), but decreased with increasing crossflow velocities. It was also observed that the effect of crossflow velocities on the rejections is decreased at the high CTAB concentration. Surfactant concentration had a significant effect on the formation of secondary membrane.