Production of a Highly Concentrated CaCO3 Suspension by Cross-Flow Microfiltration in the Presence of a Dispersant

• Published in: Separation science and technology Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 319 - 331
• Main Authors: Goma-Camps Trave, Jordi, Vorobiev, Eugene, Ould Dris, Aïssa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2007
• Subjects: cross-flow filtration; dispersant; Highly concentrated suspensions; plugging
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496390601070208

This article presents the study of the cross-flow microfiltration of an aqueous calcium carbonate suspension in the presence of dispersant in order to obtain the highly concentrated retentate. In the absence of a dispersant, the cross-flow microfiltration with cylindrical ceramic membrane permitted to increase the CaCO 3 suspension concentration from 27 to 36.5%. The retentate concentration is increased markedly in the presence of the dispersant (up to 70%). In the presence of the dispersant, the productivity of cross-flow microfiltration of CaCO 3 suspension is almost 30% higher than the productivity of dead-end microfiltration of this suspension at the same pressure of 1 bar. However, the permeate contamination by the dispersant could not be avoided and a subsequent separation must be provided to purify the permeate.