The morphological and performance study of alumina disc membrane

Ceramic membranes can be used for water separation and gas filtration owing to its chemical inertness, good mechanical and porous properties. In this work, a total of 18 ceramic membranes were fabricated by varying the parameters such as ceramic powder composition (Al2O₃), solvent (DMSO) concentration in external coagulation bath, and sintering time. The morphologies of the prepared alumina disc membranes prepared were studied using digital microscope. In order to understand the effects of morphologies towards the permeation rate of the ceramic, membranes-dead end water permeation tests and salt rejection tests were carried out to study the performance of the alumina disc membranes. Membrane 1 which was fabricated with 50% alumina loading, 0% DMSO in coagulant and sintering time of 8h was used as reference membrane. It was found that by increasing the alumina up to 65%, the structure become denser and water flux decreased up to 26%, while the salt rejected increased by 55%. Effects of increasing the solvent concentration in external coagulation bath were obvious in finger length which become more short and performed 61% but fluctuate in salt rejection. Sintering time effect was not significant in salt rejection studies as it gives only small difference but increase in water flux because the longer sintering time cause the void presence to the membrane . Different results were showed and proved when varied the parameter. Alumina loading, DMSO concentration and sintering time do have effects on morphology and performance. It is found in this study the most promising and excellent alumina disc membranes was the one with low alumina loading which is 50%, immersed in 60% solvent concentration of DMSO in external coagulation bath and with the longer sintering time that is 12 hours at 1450°C.