| In this work, we have reported the preparation of a flat circular ceramic membrane
(53 mm diameter and 5 mm thick) by paste casting method from locally available
Kashmir clay. The membrane was obtained by sintering the clay disc at 850oC for 5 h.
The raw material and the membrane were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF),
X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared
(FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), porosity, and pure water
permeability. The XRF and XRD analysis of the clay confirmed the presence of
components required for ceramic membrane preparation. Average pore size, apparent
porosity, and pure water permeability of the membrane was obtained as 5.88 m,
24.30%, and 0.9865 l.m–2.h–1.kPa–1, respectively. Chemical stability was carried out by
keeping the membrane in HCl (pH=1) and NaOH (pH=14) solutions for one week. The
prepared membrane showed excellent chemical resistance in both the media. The
overall fabrication cost of the membrane was estimated as 301 $/m2. These results
indicate that the clay used in this work could serve as an alternative raw material to
kaolin based ceramic microfiltration membranes for cheaper use in different chemical
and biochemical processes.
[Keywords: Ceramic membrane, Microfiltration, Porosity, Pore size] |
