FORWARD OSMOSIS PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF Cd +2 IONS FROM SIMULATED WASTEWATER BY USING CELLULOSE ACETATE (CA) MEMBRANE

In present work forward osmosis (FO) process was used as a novel process for the removal of Cd+2 ions from wastewater. Cellulose acetate (CA) membrane used as flat sheet membrane for Cd+2 ions removal. MgSO4.7H2O with different concentration was used as draw solution. Influence of different parameters was studied such as concentration of draw solutions ranged (10-150 g/l), concentration of feed solutions (10-200 mg/l), flow rate of draw solutions (30-100 l/hr), flow rate of feed solutions (30- 100 l/hr), and temperature of both feed and draw solution (10-40oC) at constant pressure 0.3 bar gauge. The results proved that when the draw solution concentration, flow rate of feed solution, and temperature of both feed solution and draw solution increased, the water flux increase. Water flux decreased by increasing cadmium ions concentration in feed solution, operating time of experiment, and flow rate of draw solution. Cadmium ions concentration in feed solution effluent increased when concentration of feed solution increased, time of experimental work, draw solution concentration, feed solution flow rate, and temperature of feed and draw solutions and decreased with increasing draw solution flow rate. According to the results obtained, forward osmosis process can be used to recover Cd+2 ions contaminated wastewater with removal efficiency 78.87% after 3 hrs. Reverse salt flux of MgSO4.7H2O through the CA membrane decreased with time which reached 23.34 g/m2 .h after 3 hrs